Devenney’s ‘common sense’ praised

THE referee at the centre of November’s controversial Connacht Club senior football final was lauded by GAA chiefs for using “common sense” after officiating at Wednesday night’s windswept FBD League game in Ballyhaunis.

Liam Devenney issued 13 yellow cards and disallowed a late Corofin goal as St Brigid’s eventually won the provincial club title. He had to be escorted from the pitch by former Roscommon goalkeeper Shane Curran and was jostled by irate Galway supporters. However, the Ballina Stephenites clubman came in for praise after the match match between NUI Galway and Sligo on Wednesday night when gale-force winds spoilt the game.

Players from both sides adopted the rugby tactic of holding the ball for the place-kicker during the encounter. The use of this technique is illegal but the GAA’s head of games development, Pat Daly, praised the referee for being sensible in the terrible conditions.

“Technically the rules would state everyone should be 13 metres from the ball but under the conditions,common sense prevailed, some would say a lot more common sense should be used,” said Daly.

“Technically the referee should have not allowed a player within 13 metres but with the conditions this was not possible. The referee used his judgement and applied common sense.”

However, Daly insisted the use of the technique was a once-off based on weather conditions.

“Technically you are meant toadhere to the rules and you can’t deviate but these were exceptional circumstances.

“The decision to allow it was made under exceptional circumstances but it is not aprecedent.

“It worked well in this case because of the exceptional weather but it was an exception.”