Angry Fans

Anyone who thought we might get past an exhilarating game like Sunday’s All Ireland senior hurling final without controversy was sadly mistaken.

On the contrary, a number of key refereeing decisions are the focus of a heated debate about their effect on the result. The GAA’s King Canute-like attempts to prevent a flood of fans onto the pitch after the final whistle also come in for fierce criticism from traditionalists and even the handling of the presentation to the minors gets a right lash from a disgruntled fan.

Sunday’s refereeing controversy is really part of a continuing saga of fans’ anger over the alleged poor quality of refereeing and umpiring in top championship games.   At least this week, the anger is tempered by some suggestions for reform.

Post match interviews with Bainisteoirí have been a novel focus of anger this season and none more so than last Sunday’s Morrissey v Cody ‘Lark in the Park’ on RTÉ. Most judges scored it a draw.

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.

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WHAT A PROUD day for the GAA, the media and BARA - the Black and Amber Referees’ Association. We had another major hurling match involving the ‘all untouchables’ that are Kilkenny and the poor saps who had the stupidity and the temerity to try and play a match on an equal footing. For the mighty Cats who had the satisfaction of winning a game of 16 v 14, well done, you must be very proud. To the media who spend their days worshipping at the altar of Kilkenny hurling, well done boys. Another day on your knees. Forget the fact that there are other counties. Just wallow in your fawning and love of all things Black and Amber. What’s the point of next year or any other year, while the rest of us try and make an honest effort? The rest of you stay on your knees afraid of upsetting Cody and the Cats. We have to spend our days remembering the past when there was some sense of justice and equality is this now lopsided organisation.

- Terry O Brien

AFR’S SHOUT: As that great French philosopher and sports fan, Voltaire, was supposed to have said ‘I disagree with what you say, but I defend your right to say it’. Let’s be clear about one thing. No way could Benny Dunne have stayed on the pitch after his pull across Tommy Walsh’s face. Maybe Kilkenny had a bit of luck on Sunday, but Tipp had the winning of the game in their own hands and threw it away.