Carew says Déise referee gripes ignored

Waterford football manager Niall Carew has vented his frustration with Croke Park after a recent meeting with the chairman of the National Referees’ Committee Pat McEnaney failed to resolve the inconsistencies in officiating that have resulted in a heavy concession of frees during their Division 4 fixtures.

“Against the bigger teams, we are going to be in trouble if we are not going to get a fair crack of the whip,” he said.

“I have brought that to the attention of Croke Park.

“I showed them video evidence of it. I met Pat McEnaney on it and to be honest with you, things haven’t improved.

“It’s my job to do that for these lads because they are putting in such aneffort.

“I certainly am taking these lads seriously. I felt that Croke Park weren’t taking them seriously and I think it was only a gesture to meet me but there is nothing being done about it. All we are looking for is to get the same frees that every other team are getting.

“That was very evident, especially in the first-half against Wicklow.”

In Sunday’s final round fixture with Carlow, the Déise comprehensively lost the free count by 29 to 12. In theprevious home tie against Leitrim, they gave away 24 frees and received six yellow cards. Carew also maintains his side didn’t receive a free in the first 32 minutes of the away trip to Wicklow.

“We are not getting anything in front of goals. It was the same in Aughrim last week there was 32 minutes gone in the first half and we hadn’t got a free in any sector of the field and there was only two points in it,” he said.

“It’s very hard on the players because they are putting in such an effort. It only takes one or two little things to turn games.”