Duffy admits error in ‘quick free’ controversy

Referee Michael Duffy has admitted he was wrong to allow Monaghan take a quick free which led to their goal in Sunday’s Ulster semi-final against Down.

National Referees Committee (NRC) chairman Pat McEnaney revealed Duffy acknowledged to him that he made a mistake in permitting Conor McManus take the kick after beckoning Down defender Benny McArdle towards him.

McManus’s quick pass set up Tommy Freeman for a goal and Duffy was yellow-carded afterwards.

However, Duffy realised he got it wrong when he allowed the quick free to be taken while McArdle was distracted.

“We both had a look at the video, had a chat and he admits with the benefit of hindsight that he got it wrong,” said McEnaney. “It was an error on his part and he fully appreciates that.

“We would also support referees allowing the opportunity for quick frees but once he took out the notebook and called the Down player he was entitled to stop the game.

“He made a mistake and has seen that after looking back at the video. The quick free took the Down player out of the equation for defending.

“There is no problem in trying to play advantage and coming back to book a player afterwards but he was entitled to stop play in this situation.

“Michael holds his hands up but it has to be pointed out he was the man who got the new square ball so right on the opening weekend of the Championship (Longford v Laois).”

McEnaney, who was also at the game, knows everyone wants games to flow and he wants to see his referees doing that.

“We would encourage referees to allow players to take quick frees providing a player hasn’t been beckoned out to be shown a yellow card or whatever.

“The players, the managers, the supporters all want the game to flow and quick frees contribute to that.

“I don’t have a problem with a referee delaying a yellow card until the next break in play because it allows the game to flow.

“That’s good refereeing but he can’t signal a player if he allows the play to carry on.”

McEnaney also revealed the NRC have put forward a new advantage rule proposal to Eugene McGee’s Football Review Committee.

The recommendation, which they hope would apply to hurling as well, would allow referees to call the play back for a free if the team of the fouled player hasn’t gain an advantage.

The news comes in the wake of Sunday’s Munster semi-final where both teams were victims of the current advantage rule.

Tipperary were denied a goal in the second-half after Brian Gavin, who had been playing advantage on several occasions, blew for a free-in.

Cork received no gain from a number of advantages signalled by the referee late in the game.

“Unfortunately, the advantage rule as it stands states once you play the advantage you cannot go back and give the free,” said McEnaney.

“One of the changes we’re looking for is a three or five second window being given to the fouled player after the foul has been committed.

“We’re not talking about something like the rule in rugby.

“Three seconds itself is a long time and if the player has not received any advantage then the referee can call back the play for the original frees.”