O'Donoghue: Put ref behind the goal to catch off-the-ball antics

Cork hurling captain Sean O’Donoghue wants umpires to be qualified refs to prevent incidents like the one that cost Cork last season. 

OFF BALL ANTICS: Cork hurling captain Sean O’Donoghue believes one umpire at either end of the field should be a qualified referee so as to prevent defenders from being unfairly penalised. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Cork hurling captain Sean O’Donoghue believes one umpire at either end of the field should be a qualified referee so as to prevent defenders from being unfairly penalised.

Early in the second half of last year’s Munster SHC Round 5 clash between Cork and Limerick, O’Donoghue and Aaron Gillane’s grappling under a dropping ball saw referee James Owens incorrectly award Limerick a penalty, which Diarmaid Byrnes converted to move the champions four in front.