Earley has ‘no doubts’ about McQuillan

DERMOT EARLEY has expressed confidence that the fact Joe McQuillan has umpired regularly for referee Pat McEnaney will have no impact on Kildare’s attempts to overcome Meath in tonight’s SFC qualifier at Páirc Tailteann.

Meath are managed by McEnaney’s brother, Seamus, and McQuillan’s appointment to officiate in a game involving the Royals has been questioned in some circles.

Kildare have had a number of high-profile grievances with referees in recent years, notably when Benny Coulter’s goal was allowed in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final against Down despite the forward being clearly in the square. Ironically, McQuillan was an umpire in that game, refereed by Pat McEnaney, and was one of the umpires who ruled out an apparently good Alan Smith point.

Then there was Cormac Reilly’s award of a highly controversial extra-time free that enabled Dublin to win the Leinster semi-final last month.

Earley, however, has no doubts that the Cavan referee will do a good job.

“When I heard the appointment, my first reaction was I thought it was a bit odd because I know he has umpired for Pat McEnaney, and we know the connection between Pat and the ‘Banty’,” said Earley.

“But at the same time you’d expect that Joe, who is a very good referee, will be able to make the calls on the day without any bias towards friends or anything like that. And that’s what we’re expecting of Joe and we’ve no doubt that he will do it.”