Referee replacement ‘not sinister’

NICKEY BRENNAN has insisted there was no “sinister motive” behind news that Dickie Murphy has replaced Pat O’Connor as referee for Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final between Kilkenny and Galway.

The tie has been in the spotlight since Ger Loughnane questioned the legality of some of the All-Ireland champions’ defending this week.

Brian Cody has refused to rise to the bait of ‘savagery’ dangled by his counterpart but Kilkenny county board chairman Pat Dunphy claimed Loughane was “trying to get at the ref”.

Under those circumstances, the late change of official was bound to raise some eyebrows but Brennan explained the procedure yesterday.

When referees are selected to officiate at matches they receive a text from Croke Park informing them and asking if they are available on the day. The Association’s press office announces details of all the coming week’s games at the same time meaning Pat O’Connor was listed to take the Kilkenny-Galway game when the fixtures were released this week.

“As it turns out, Pat O’Connor contacted the office (yesterday) morning to say he is not available because he works some Sundays,” said Brennan.

“He had indicated from a long way back that there would be days where he wouldn’t be available. He is not available to referee the infamous Kilkenny-Galway match. Dickie Murphy is doing it instead. There is no sinister motive behind that. There will be all sorts of conspiracy theories. I am telling ye this because I suspect that (the match) has taken on a bit of a life of its own.”