Time to appoint professional referees, says GPA chief

GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell believes the GAA should appoint professional referees.

As Croke Park officials yesterday vowed “to defend and protect” their men in black, Farrell contended that the Association would be better served by creating a full-time panel of the best and most experienced officials in hurling and football.

This, he concludes, would help to end the growing aggression and abuse which is reaching crisis proportions at inter-county level and throughout the country.

“My personal opinion would be to make referees professional,” Farrell said yesterday.

“There is so much at stake now for teams with a whole year’s preparations hinging on one or two decisions by an official.

“The modern games of hurling and football are becoming more and more difficult to referee as the pace increases. Aside from keeping up with play, the ref also has a number of tasks, like score-keeping and time-keeping, to contend with.

“They are under tremendous pressure. If a player makes a mistake there is little made of it but if a ref makes a mistake it is highlighted to the nth degree.

“If the GAA appointed a professional panel in both codes, they could improve the standards and the consistency at inter-county level first and foremost.

“They in turn could help teach and bring on other referees right across the board.

“Referees are receiving so much criticism you will not have any more referees.

“The GAA need to broaden their horizons and think outside the box.”

Farrell said the GPA had sought a number of meetings with Croke Park and with the referees to discuss issues of concern to his membership.

However, he adds that such appeals have yielded little success.

“We consulted with our players and consistency is the biggest concern. Players find that one Sunday they will be blown up for an incident but that the same incident could go unpunished a week later.

“We passed a motion at the AGM to engage in talks with the referees’ committee. We sent a letter to Croke Park and to Frank Burke of the National Referees’ Committee but we are yet to receive a response.

“I know there are review situations for referees but I think that players and managers need to be consulted on a more regular basis.”

For now Farrell is concentrating on his return to inter-county football with Dublin and a qualifier meeting with former boss Tommy Carr, who is now in charge of Roscommon.

“It adds a bit of spice,” Farrell said of the qualifier pairing.

“I think to be fair, everyone has moved on from the past.

“For Dublin it is just a case of another opposition on the road to where we want to go and Roscommon will consider it a great draw to re-ignite their interest.

“Everyone loves playing Dublin, and I think everyone loves trying to beat Dublin.

“Mayo were very impressive but if Roscommon had taken one of the goal chances earlier on in the game it could have been a different outcome.”

And as to his own return to another championship campaign: “I am enjoying it very much. It is great to be back,” he said.