Angry Fans

There’s a veritable tsunami of criticism of the standard of umpiring during both senior hurling quarter finals at Semple Stadium at the weekend.

The fans’ wrath is palpable and – to be honest – understandable.

Cork hurling fans are still clutching at straws and in denial about the reality of them facing a long road back.   Their angry response to their beloved Rebels’ exit from the championship now surfaces in the form of snide comments about the remaining teams, especially Dublin.

The famous ‘folksy’ atmosphere of Thurles on big match days may not be all it’s cracked up to be, judging by fans’ criticisms of increasingly loutish behaviour in the famous Square.

The need for greater respect for the playing of the anthem before games and the lack of availability of Croke Park for the big championship games this year, are also topics that are agitating some fans.

Get in touch:   Give your views and comments to An Fear Rua himself at GAA Angry Fans in ‘The Irish Examiner’    Just drop an email to [e-mail] and get AFR’s reaction to what you have to say.

If you make the ‘Comment of the Week’, we have a fabulous prize of exclusive ‘his or hers’ GAA t-shirts, supplied by our old pals at Puckout.com, where you can design your own club or county leisure wear.

THE UMPIRES MADE numerous mistakes in Thurles on Sunday.   A shot by a Dublin wing back from under the New Stand was given as a point, even though it clearly went wide.   Paudie Mac had a clear point disallowed.    Joe Canning’s shot hit the post and went wide but was counted as a score.   Eoin Kelly’s point on the volley was over but it was given as wide.

Dearbhla

AFR’S SHOUT:   Sunday’s game had more than the usual quota of umpiring controversies and it’s hard to disagree with any of the comments made.  It’s particularly unacceptable that a place in the All Ireland semi finals could hinge on a dodgy decision.  Eoin Kelly’s stroke of genius in whipping the ball over the bar on the fly deserved to be remembered as the brilliant score it actually was.   As for all those white haired old men?    Maybe the GAA could dole out a few bottles of hair dye to match officials, but then, what if it rained and the dye ran down their lovely white coats?