Curley: No issue with ref nepotism

NATIONAL referees committee chairman Mick Curley says the GAA have no problem with referees appointing sons or any family members as umpires providing they pass the required rules tests.

Syl Doyle’s son Ricky and his brother Richard were the two umpires he overruled in Croke Park on Sunday after Meath’s Graham Geraghty flicked the ball to the net in the Leinster SFC quarter-final defeat to Kildare.

“There’s no issue there,” said Curley. “Once they have their course done and passed, they’re umpires. If they haven’t they’re not permitted to umpire.

“That’s the only criteria we set out. We have no problem with whom they choose other than that. We don’t do that for the referee.”

National match officials co-ordinator Pat Doherty added: “That is no problem and of no

concern to us. Everyone who has umpired so far in the championship has passed the course.”

Meanwhile, the Wexford County Board are hoping for rain this week as the Wexford Park surface remains dry ahead of next Saturday’s Leinster football and hurling double-header.

Despite constant watering, officials are concerned about the current state of the pitch.