‘We’re losing refs left, right and centre’

THE GAA is facing a serious refereeing shortage because of the abuse directed at officials in recent weeks by prominent figures in the Association, ex-referee John Gough warned yesterday.

The Antrim official, who presided over the notorious 1983 All-Ireland football final between Dublin and Galway when he sent off four players, says the situation is critical and it is time for the Association to come down heavily on those who abuse referees.

“When young people, with an interest in refereeing, watch those games on television and see some of the most prominent people in the Association running on a pitch to abuse a referee, that would put anyone off.

“There is a shortage of referees in every county now and the amount of abuse, high-level abuse, has to be a major contributory factor. We are losing referees left, right and centre, and if we don’t do something to deal with this soon, we could be facing a real shortage of referees for championship games in a few years time.”

Gough says the behaviour of certain managers in televised games in recent weeks has sent out the wrong message to young people and club players and the GAA should consider making an example of these people.

“It is a privilege for anyone, apart from the players, to be allowed onto the pitch during the game. And if they abuse that privilege to come on and roar at a referee, then that privilege should be taken away from them, pure and simple.”

Gough believes the GAA should be aspiring to create a similar culture to that of rugby. “This sort of abuse would not be tolerated in any other sport, so why should we tolerate it? Rugby sets a good example. I have always admired the way players in that sport respect the decisions a referee makes, and if a player takes issue, other players move in to defuse the situation,” Gough said.

“That is the sort of mentality we should be trying to develop in our players and managers. A mentality of respect towards referees. Gaelic football is an extremely difficult game to referee, particularly when it is wet and windy, and now with the fitness level of players.

“There is a certain responsibility among managers and officials to remember that. And this idea of running after a referee at half-time, I understand that managers are under unbelievable pressure, but that goes against everything the Association stands for.

“This is meant to be about sport and enjoyment and the one person on the pitch who is ensuring the game is played in the most sporting nature is the referee. And his first objective in refereeing a game is that he has to be satisfied with the job he has done.”

Gough, who sits on the national refereeing body, says the standard of refereeing is higher than ever.

“Compared to my day, these referees are way ahead in terms of their fitness levels, their decision making, their preparation for a big game. Refereeing has come on a lot in the past ten years,” he said.

He was adamant the GAA should deal with anyone who walks onto a pitch to abuse a referee. “It is the only way we can solve the problem of referee recruitment. Nobody is going to want to take a job if one day, he gets a high-profile game only to be abused by a top manager or official.”