Moran hits out at lack of respect

LEITRIM boss Mickey Moran, pictured, has accused GAA chiefs of treating Division 4 teams like “second class citizens” and claimed the group is being used as a “training ground for referees”.

Moran was infuriated in Carrick-on-Shannon when Tyrone referee Eamon McHugh sent off Leitrim defender Thomas Beirne after seven minutes of their clash with Wicklow. Leitrim finished the match with 13 men when Barry McWeeney was shown the line for a second bookable offence after half-time.

Moran said: “Allegedly it was the linesman’s call — nobody said to us what it was.

“There are ongoing issues about Division 4 being used as a training ground for referees. I don’t think it’s fair or justifiable because we in Division 4 train as well as any other county. Do Croke Park feel that Division 4 is an inferior league and that we are second class citizens? We’re only asking for the same level playing field as Divisions 1, 2 and 3.”