Jim McCorry concerned at umpires’ training levels
The Down defender was dismissed by referee Eddie Kinsella at the start of the second half for an off the ball strike on Enda Lynn, on the advice of his umpire.
While Kinsella was criticised for his fitness levels during the game by BBC pundit Oisin McConville, McCorry has stuck up for the Laois whistler, who took charge of last year’s All-Ireland final between Kerry and Donegal.
However the Mourne boss, who confirmed Down will appeal the red card, condemned the umpire’s decision and suggested that stand-by referees/linesmen should be taking a more active role during games.
“The two linesmen who were there (Joe McQuillan and Derek Fahy) are qualified referees and if one of them made a call like that, you’d have to accept it,” said McCorry.
“How someone could think that was a strike from 50 yards away is amazing, and it has defined our whole Ulster championship.
“I am concerned about the level of training given to umpires. And what is their role exactly?
“The thing that annoys me is that you have three qualified referees there, so can the two who are linesmen not be more involved in the game, rather than poorly trained umpires?
“The perception of them is still that they are buddies of the referee and travel around with him, but I’d like some clarity on the training they get.”
A Croke Park spokesman said yesterday: “we have never worked harder with our umpires on their match day training and they form an integral part of any referee’s team”.
McCorry backed the referee, insisting: “you can’t blame the referee, and the criticisms about his fitness are unfair. He had a decent game and it was the umpire who brought it to his attention — and the umpire was wrong.
“Conall wouldn’t swat a fly, there is no dirt in him, and you could see watching it on TV on Sunday night that he did nothing more than push the player (Lynn) away.
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