Ref walks off after being ignored

The FAI’s Disciplinary Committee is awaiting the report of referee Chrissie Buckley following the abandonment of yesterday’s Bus Éireann Women’s National League game between Cork Women’s FC and Dublin’s DLR Waves.

A little under 10 minutes remained in the first half at Turner’s Cross, with Cork leading 2-1, when Buckley left the field after DLR manager Larry Mahony refused to accede to her decision to order him from the dugout.

The drama unfolded shortly after DLR got back in the game following Sylvia Gee’s penalty when the visitors took issue with the awarding of a throw-in to Cork.

Mahony, who had been sitting on a wall outside the dugouts, protested and was asked by the referee to sit in the dugout but was adamant he would only move to within the technical area and not sit down.

After being ordered off by Buckley, Mahony stayed where he was and the referee eventually walked off, refusing pleas from both sides to return to the pitch before walking off, leaving the FAI to wait on the report.

“The referee sends in the report on Monday,” said FAI communications executive Stephen Finn, “and any issues arising are discussed at the weekly disciplinary committee meeting on Wednesday, with any decisions announced afterwards.”

For Cork, it could be a case of suffering financially through no fault of their own.

“Every time we rent Turner’s Cross for a game it costs us €400,” said their manager Maurice Farrell.

“We just have to wait and see what the FAI do, it was a pity that it happened but the referee was well within her rights, she acted to the letter of the law and gave him plenty of opportunities to act on her orders.

“We tried to get her to change her mind as when you have amateur players giving up their time like that you want the games to be played, it’s a real pity for them.”