Royals take up defence of Reilly

Meath GAA chiefs have jumped to the defence of referee Cormac Reilly following criticism of his handling of Saturday’s semi-final replay between Kerry and Mayo.

Reilly was criticised in the media but it was Kevin McStay’s critical analysis of a number of incidents during the game that angered Meath PRO Martin O’Halloran at a county board meeting on Monday night.

“’Maybe he had another agenda,” O’Halloran suggested.

“Tonight I am standing up for our man, our Meath official. Cormac had over 100 decisions to make over the course of the game.

“When the rules are changed to allow referees to view slow motion replays then I will accept Mr McStay’s criticism.”

A proposal from O’Halloran to send a letter to Croke Park requesting them to defend and protect officials and to take strong action against those who come onto the playing field and threaten the safety of referees was passed.

Meanwhile at the same meeting, U18 chairman John Kavanagh expressed disappointment that Saturday’s All-Ireland MBHC final between Meath and Kerry has been fixed for Nenagh.

Kavanagh hit out against facilities at the Tipperary venue for the corresponding fixture last year, saying that not having a PA system and a presentation area in operation was not good enough.

Kavanagh hoped that such basic facilities will be in place for the decider.