Carbery to reduce games over ref abuse

A GAA division in Cork has warned that it will have to reduce its fixture programme this year as a result of “unacceptable” verbal and physical abuse of referees.

Next week’s Carbery Bord na nÓg division will hear that due to the ever dwindling number of referees available to the Board, the programme of games will have to be drastically curtailed.

“It is difficult to attract new referees due to the abuse culture that exists not only in this division but nationally as well,” the division’s annual report says.

“Having appeared on the agenda on a number of occasions during the 1990’s we were all hopeful that we had come to grips with this problem. Unfortunately this optimism proved groundless as in the past year we had a number of very serious incidents, especially at U16 level.

“The level of verbal and indeed physical abuse that some referees were subjected to during the year was totally unacceptable. This abuse came from mentors, players and so-called supporters. As some of these cases have yet to be finalised, I will refrain from making any further comment,” said secretary Eddie Moloney.

Meanwhile, the secretary has also expressed concern with the practice of mixed teams at underage level. The practice of playing girls at underage level in boys’ competitions has been accommodated but its consequences have not been fully discussed, he claimed.

“Times have changed and many of these girls are now involved in ladies football and camogie teams. A difficulty arises when the talented girls are accommodated in GAA teams, thus depriving boys of a place on the team. After all boys are not allowed play on ladies football and camogie teams.

“It can be demoralising for the boys who are left on the sideline to see two or three talented girls on the team.”