McGuinness: Pressure on referees is killing games

DONEGAL manager Jimmy McGuinness yesterday added his name to the list of high-profile figures to have railed against the GAA’s use of referee assessors and the perceived pressure such figures place on referees, to the detriment of the games themselves.

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins and Wexford hurler Darren Stamp are others who have drawn attention to the manner in which match officials are being judged, both from the stands and Croke Park.

Like them, McGuinness has all but absolved referees of blame for what he believes is the over-officious manner in which games are being officiated, going so far as to say that he actually feels sorry for the men in black.