Referees’ chief Curley defends call to give Cork penalty

REFEREES’ chief Michael Curley has insisted Rory Hickey was correct to award a Cork penalty in Sunday’s Munster SFC final and hit out at media criticism of the controversial decision.

Curley described Irish Examiner columnist Cormac MacConnell’s viewpoint on the matter as ‘cynical’ and was also upset by the views of RTÉ Sunday Game analyst Tommy Lyons.

Limerick fans were incensed by the decision to award a penalty after 14 minutes following a tussle between Mark O’Riordan and Daniel Goulding. Donnacha O’Connor netted the kick to haul his side level (1-1 to 0-4).

Said Curley: “One of the most talked about incidents from last weekend is the penalty awarded by referee Rory Hickey to Cork in the first half of the Munster SFC final against Limerick. The comments have ranged from those who appear to be of the opinion that Hickey intentionally gave the award to put Limerick out of the game to those who seem to think that once a player looses possession, a foul committed on him thereafter is legitimate.

“Let’s be clear about it, that was a penalty, legitimately awarded by a referee who was right up with play at the time and was in a good field position to see exactly what happened. The Cork player was bearing down on goal, in possession of the ball, was being tackled from the side by his Limerick opponent.

“Inside the large parallelogram, the Cork player dropped the ball due to the attentions of his Limerick marker, he did not lose control of the ball as Tommy Lyons (RTÉ Sunday Game panellist) suggested as it was still within easy reach on the ground right in front of him.

“The Limerick player came across the Cork player, and in his attempt to clear the ball on the ground took down the Cork player – penalty. In relation to Tommy Lyons comments, it should be pointed out that even though a player has dropped possession of the ball he is legitimately entitled to retrieve it without being fouled.

“It is clear that some of the post match comments about this incident were inspired more out of favouring the underdog than to see consistent application of the rules of the game. While this is understandable it must be accepted that referees do not have such luxury. Their job is to apply rules correctly and consistently regardless of whom they favour or affect. Consistent application underpins everything referees do.’’

He added: “It would be very interesting to hear comments had that incident occurred at the other end of the field, a Limerick player was fouled and the penalty not given.

“On this occasion Rory Hickey got the call spot on, and while he or any other referee expect no accolades he most certainly does not deserve the cynical (from McConnell) and inaccurate (from Lyons amongst others) criticism levelled at him in the aftermath of the game.

“Such comments as those made by Cormac McConnell will do little to aid the referee recruitment process or encourage the present incumbents to strive for the consistency we all wish to see.”