I deserved better, says axed Cork ref Sexton
The Ballyhea clubman won’t be called on to officiate in any of this year’s Munster, Leinster or All-Ireland series games.
An exasperated Sexton took to Facebook to air his disappointment with the decision: “I deserved better treatment for all the years of service.”
Contacted last night, Sexton said he didn’t want to comment further.
Éire Óg’s Diarmuid Kirwan, Aghada’s Cathal McAllister and Nemo Rangers’ Colm Lyons are still awaiting word on their selection, although Lyons was the man in the middle for the recent Division 1 semi-final between Tipperary and Limerick.
There is expectation McAllister will be recalled to the panel after missing out last season.
Sexton took charge of last year’s All-Ireland senior club hurling final between Kilcormac-Killoughey and St Thomas’, as well as the 2009 Munster and Division 1 finals and the 2008 All-Ireland senior club decider.
He was also the man in the middle for 2010 and 2012 All-Ireland semi-finals as well as the 2004 All-Ireland minor final.
A number of new referees are in the running for spots on the panel with the likes of Tipperary’s Fergal Horgan, Galway’s Christy Browne and Derry’s Eamonn Hassan in the running.
The panel of football championship referees is expected to be confirmed in the coming day or two, following a meeting last night.
Meanwhile, Down veteran forward Benny Coulter doubts the black card will benefit the game of Gaelic football.
“There’s a lot of pundits and people saying there’s a lot more scores this year, but I think the game’s still very defensive.
“I know Dublin the other day were fantastic but managers are still going to set up with the same systems they’ve had over the last number of years, so I don’t think the black card is going to help that way.
“We’ll just have to wait and see how the championship goes. Different managers will set up in a different way for the championship than they do for the league.”
