Nash opposed to introducing semi-pro refs

Creating an elite semi-professional refereeing core would ignore the bigger problems facing officiating in the GAA, according to Alan Nash, secretary of the Gaelic Match Officials Association (GMOA).

Mayo manager James Horan yesterday called on the GAA to make referees semi-professional so they could spend more time training to deal with the increasing demands of the black card. It follows similar calls made by Kildare’s Dermot Earley and Kerry’s Paul Galvin in 2010.

However Nash believes an independent refereeing body would prove far more beneficial to the association in the long-term.