This will do Bredagh a lot of good when it comes to the 50/50 decisions:
Club footballers deserve much better from the men in black
Against The Breeze
by Paddy Heaney
A Westmeath footballer is currently facing a 48-week ban after he knocked a referee to the ground during a club game.
It's always shocking and disturbing to learn that a match official is assaulted – but when you consider the standard of refereeing at club level, it's equally surprising that such incidents aren't more widespread.
I should point out that I'm not condoning this type of behaviour but those readers who mainly follow the inter-county game may have little understanding of the ineptitude of some club referees.
The match official who took charge of Sunday's game between Derry and Monaghan is a useful example. Leitrim's Frank Flynn incurred the wrath of our football analyst, Kevin Madden, who accused the Connacht official of "doing his best to ruin what potentially should have been an open, free-flowing game of football''.
Madden's displeasure with Flynn's handling of the game was wholly understandable. Flynn rarely had the whistle from his lips. He made a series of needless interventions and single-handedly stopped the game from developing any type of ebb and flow.
Yet, despite Flynn's faults, most club footballers can only dream of getting a referee of this standard. I kid you not.
Let me explain. For starters Flynn turned up on time. He was actually on the pitch when the game was scheduled to start at 3.30pm. Anyone who has any experience of club football will appreciate just how rare an event it is when a referee appears at the allocated time.
There were other aspects of Flynn's display which the typical club footballer could never take for granted.
For instance, the Leitrim official actually knew the rules, it was just unfortunate that he made it his personal duty to impose every last one of them. More significantly again, he wasn't biased. For all his failings, he showed no favouritism to either side.
Sadly, the same cannot be said for countless referees who will officiate at club games throughout the country. Due to either weakness of character, sheer vindictiveness, or long-held prejudices, too many referees fail in their basic duty of applying the rules with impartiality.
Bad, biased referees can fall into one of four categories, which are:
a) The Hometown Whistler: This individual places his own safety above everyone else's and therefore gives the majority of decisions to the crowd that barracks him the loudest – the home team. These weak officials have done immeasurable damage to the culture of the GAA because they have proved that verbal abuse pays.
b) The Neighbourly Ref #1: Have you ever played a game where the players on one team are all on first name terms with the referee? "For God's sake Jimmy, give us something,'' they'll whine after Jimmy has awarded the only free of the game against them. Jimmy will bow his head in an apologetic manner and get on with the business of making sure that his good friends win the game.
c) The Neighbourly Ref #2: Refs being refs, they can be thran sorts, and having a neighbour in charge of your game doesn't guarantee anything. As we all know, some neighbours hate each other and the same applies to the referee who abuses his position to settle old scores against his parish rivals. These twisted match officials are probably more common than the friendly types previously mentioned.
d) The Most Important Man on the Pitch: You know the sort – obnoxious to the core – and not happy unless he's the centre of the attention. A dangerous and poisonous individual, these men take perverse pleasure from causing controversy. Sick, nasty and objectionable, the GAA provides a refuge for these sickos, who tend to be unloved by their family and friends. Truth to be told, they wouldn't have it any other way.
Anyone who regularly goes to club games will be able to spot a referee who fits into one of those four categories. And while it's not a very politically correct thing to write, a good deal of the havoc caused in club games stems from such referees.
I've no doubt that the single greatest source of trouble comes when referees fail to execute their primary duty, which is to protect players.
Gaelic football is a very hard game to referee and it's understandable when officials miss technical fouls or make the occasional dubious call. However, it's completely unforgivable when they decide to overlook dangerous challenges, punches, or kicks.
This may seem like stating the obvious. But if a referee matches any of the four descriptions
previously mentioned then there is a strong possibility that he'll allow serious infractions to go unpunished.
The consequences are predictable. Once players realise they can't depend on the referee to protect them, they take the law into their own hands. The result is mass brawls, carnage and – every now and again – a referee gets to experience what a punch on the jaw feels like.
It's an age-old problem, but the solution remains the same. Poor referees exist because few people are willing to do a job which engenders so much flak and bad manners.
It's a Catch-22 situation. The public get the politicians they deserve and players get the referees they deserve. Unless footballers, their managers and supporters start giving referees the respect they often don't deserve, the standard of refereeing at club level is set to remain at its current level.
And that's a worrying thought.
I think Paddy Heaney should seriously think about the articles that he writes.Although referees are not perfect most of them do as good a job as they can. Although every referee makes mistakes I doubt if they do it out of malice but rather out of misjudgment of a situation.I for one would not fancy becoming a referee when I am finished playing because of the abuse they take never mind people like Paddy heaney writing articles like this.
I was talking to a local ref this morning and slagging him about this article. He didn't take it well.
As Bredagh will remember form the ex-County Chairman's address at the last county convention, many GAA officials cannot separate Paddy's role as Bredagh senior football manager from his role as a professional journalist. This will certainly do the team no good.
Quote from: Guillem2 on June 26, 2007, 04:22:12 PM
d) The Most Important Man on the Pitch: You know the sort – obnoxious to the core – and not happy unless he's the centre of the attention. A dangerous and poisonous individual, these men take perverse pleasure from causing controversy. Sick, nasty and objectionable, the GAA provides a refuge for these sickos, who tend to be unloved by their family and friends. Truth to be told, they wouldn't have it any other way.
Pints of Guinness' oul mate from the weekend
Quote from: Bacon on June 26, 2007, 04:41:01 PM
I was talking to a local ref this morning and slagging him about this article. He didn't take it well.
As Bredagh will remember form the ex-County Chairman's address at the last county convention, many GAA officials cannot separate Paddy's role as Bredagh senior football manager from his role as a professional journalist. This will certainly do the team no good.
To be honest I think the standard of hurling referees in Down and indeed Antrim has improved.
I'll take the lads name out as it is indeed unfair on him to be too critical afterall he gives up his time like the rest of us to do his best.
I dont think the article was directed at refereeing in Down, moreso the common (mis)conceptions of the club footballer/fan.
Jimmy Flynn from Drumnaquile!! A legend in his own mind. Anyone who has witnessed Jimmy refereeing a game will know exactly what I mean. You won't know him Johnnycool. He only does East Down juvenile hurling - wouldn't get out of the Ards alive.
At thirds match against Glenn a few years ago we had a ref who wanted the opposition to take a 50 from the 21 yard line! I kid you not. We don't epxect Pat McEnaney to do thirds matches but the least we expect is a ref who knows the rules!
Quote from: Bacon on June 26, 2007, 04:56:33 PM
Jimmy Flynn from Drumnaquile!! A legend in his own mind. Anyone who has witnessed Jimmy refereeing a game will know exactly what I mean. You won't know him Johnnycool. He only does East Down juvenile hurling - wouldn't get out of the Ards alive.
is he the one who never ventures more than 5, maybe 10 yards from the middle of the pitch? and can see clearly when the ball has passed the lne from there?
They used to say in Dorsey...
"we have a soft spot for referees at this club... in the bog behind the bottom goals."
Quote from: Uladh on June 26, 2007, 04:45:16 PM
Quote from: Guillem2 on June 26, 2007, 04:22:12 PM
d) The Most Important Man on the Pitch: You know the sort – obnoxious to the core – and not happy unless he's the centre of the attention. A dangerous and poisonous individual, these men take perverse pleasure from causing controversy. Sick, nasty and objectionable, the GAA provides a refuge for these sickos, who tend to be unloved by their family and friends. Truth to be told, they wouldn't have it any other way.
Pints of Guinness' oul mate from the weekend
He's a **** uladh!
Well said Paddy Heaney!
Anyone who disagrees with him doesn't watch club football!
Its always so easy to criticise. Not so easy to referee yourself.
So Paddy doesn't like Tyrone players, Tyrone supporters, Derry County Board, Referees, Down Officials and Flynns. The last is understandable....
I wonder who he'll pick on next week.
Ladsbroke:
Weighty women in belly tops 5/4
Henry Kelly 2/1
Journo's wages 7/2
RHF 9/2
Himself 150/1
I've been a ref basher for years lads, and we had a couple of poor ones at the start of this year, but I can honestly say I've been happily surprised at the standard of refereeing in the past dozen or so games we've had. Some have been a picky, others not picky enough, but that's just their styles. But it's been a fair while since I've felt like we're playing against 16 men.
Such is the nature of sport, that on Friday night i could come back on this board spitting blood from swallowing my words, but credit where it's due, the Down men in black are generally going well this season.
Quote from: ONeill on June 26, 2007, 09:09:33 PM
So Paddy doesn't like Tyrone players, Tyrone supporters, Derry County Board, Referees, Down Officials and Flynns. The last is understandable....
I wonder who he'll pick on next week.
Ladsbroke:
Weighty women in belly tops 5/4
Henry Kelly 2/1
Journo's wages 7/2
RHF 9/2
Himself 150/1
He's already had a go at the young females who live down in the Holylands and the fact they love to wear GAA stuff all the time
Quote from: ONeill on June 26, 2007, 09:09:33 PM
So Paddy doesn't like Tyrone players, Tyrone supporters, Derry County Board, Referees, Down Officials and Flynns. The last is understandable....
I wonder who he'll pick on next week.
Ladsbroke:
Weighty women in belly tops 5/4
Henry Kelly 2/1
Journo's wages 7/2
RHF 9/2
Himself 150/1
His Car Mechanic - Name your own price ;)
Well with no Derry performance to slobber over Paddy has to turn his attention to someone :D
Brolly, Barton, Tohill.......... have all been very quiet this week ;)
Referees in the lower leagues of any county are easy targets. You can't expect to have the best refs in the county doing Div 3 or 4 every week. Having said that Heaney does make a good point about getting the refs you deserve if more lads won't volunteer.
Johnnycool has a point about hurling. I actually think the standard of hurling refs in Down is better than the football. At least there seems to be greater agreement between players and officials on what the rules are. Particularly when it comes to fowls. Maybe its just more clear cut in hurling.
Quote from: Aristotle Flynn on June 27, 2007, 08:26:17 AM
Particularly when it comes to fowls.
If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck?
From a Down point - Leo Smith ticks all Paddy's boxes! The worst ever to don the black jersey!
Quote from: Aristotle Flynn on June 27, 2007, 08:26:17 AM
Particularly when it comes to fowls.
Is this often open to debate at down hurling games?
Good man lecale, beat me too it...
Have to agree with Spirit re Leo Smyth.......he's brutal.
JC, did ye have to tell everyone where yer man was from?!
Sure isn't he now a highly rated inter county referee? :o
We have a soft spot for him No1, so much so we made a written request to the county board for him never to referee a match involving our club again! :D
Whereas I think it's unfair to name and shame individual referees on the worldwide web,I think Paddy's comments will open up an important debate.Generally speaking,I would agree there is less controversy associated with hurling refs-that's the nature of the sport.
However,Paddy should be praised for having the guts to challenge referees.I think his frustration comes from being involved in urban clubs ( Glenn and Bredagh)-who tend not to be treated sympathetically by the majority of refs(I'll show these townies who's boss).
The problem with refereeing being an unpopular task ,is that the GAA adopts an "any port in a storm" mentality,and anybody who wishes to volunteer for a whistle is given full support by the GAA regardless of their performance.
The difficulty is that there is no means of constructive criticism and accountability for referees,and clubs are afraid to formally criticise the referees as they fear it will come back on the club in future refereeing.As a result clubs subconsciously choose the only avenue open for criticism-that is verbal abuse of the referee on the day
A few recurrent refereeing problems I have come across:
1.refs using bad language.
2.refs mistaken or lying in reports.
3.refs late/fail to show up.
4.refs with alcohol on board/hungover
5.refs not being fit to keep up with play
6.non-neutral umpires /linesmen at crucial playoff matches.
7.apparent lack of concern and failing to note serious injuries.
8.officiating at matches involving former club or 1st degree relatives,friends ,work colleagues
9.refs declaring pre-match-"you'll be ok 2nite-I can't stand these boys"
10.refs admitting to sharing prejudices among themselves,and thereby prejudging certain teams/mentors.
Despite all these and other concerns,most clubs have never officially challenged any referee through the refs campaign committee-as they fear they will suffer the consequences.Until there is a channel for constructive criticism and praise, referees will continue to abuse their power,and clubs will continue to barrack refs on/off the field.
Regrettably the GAA has reacted to current disciplinary issues by trying to further gag constuctive criticism.Until we as an organisation have the courage and maturity to commit to the development of referees,we will continue to have problems.
Lack of accountability is a recipe for disaster in any organisation.If we can develop channels for constuctive criticism/praise and subsequent sanction/reward,we can then get to a stage like Rugby ,where the referees word on the day is sacrosanct,and he can only be spoken to by the captain of the team.Hopefully that day comes sooner rather than later.
Was at a 2nds match the other night between 2 local rivals, both teams had a panel of about 23 players each, there were the guts of 50 people there to watch being a local derby and a good Sunday evening. So about a hundred people there - guess what - no referee turned up so everyone waited way over an hour, not even a sign so everyone went home - total disgrace. Paddy Heaney has raised plenty of valid points with his article
i think you have summed it up well there 6th sam.
i know referees take alot of abuse at times but sometimes it just cant be helped. the referee not knowing the rules is common in the reserve leagues.
no matter where a referee goes there will always be some eejit to give him abuse no matter how good he is. in my opinion frank mcdonald is the best referee i have ever been refereed by and even he gets abuse from some slabber on the line. however, what really annoys decent gaa people is the apparent lack of common sense, lack of guts or just pure bias that is often displayed by officials. for example, in a league playoff final last year our best player was badly injured in an off the ball incident (he required 8 stiches and couldnt see from one eye for two days). the ref consults his umpire who obviously gives him information about the incident. the ref calls the culprit over and gives him a yellow card. this is the sort of thing that paddy is on about. im sure veeryone has their own story to tell. but what does a ref expect after doing something like that.
by the way, although some of the refs mentioned above are poor i dont think we should mention their names. its a hard enough job to do without seeing your name slated on a discussion board.
I played a reserve match recently where the ref had two brothers playing for the opposition!
Turns out he used to play for that club, fell out with them and transferred to a neighbouring club, for whom he now referees.
The game was one-sided, we won easily, and there wasnt a bad tackle in the whole game. It was agreed by all that despite the refs peculair position, he had done fairly well.
However, After the game one of his former teammates headbutted him on the way into the dressing rooms.
Couple of others to add to your list 6th Sam.
Refs who pick fights with mentors/supporters in the middle of a game..
Refs who single out county players for "special" treatment....and I dont mean protecting them.
Refs betting on one of the teams they are refereeing...I kid you not!!!
Could people post the full names, addresses and phone numbers of all the refs in their county and then we could ring them up or call round to give them some advice/constructive critisism.
I think honest feedback from fans and players away from the field of play will help improve standards.
I have to agree with Johhneycool about Declan Magee, he was very close to getting a slap from one of our plyers before in a match & im sure i will be lambasted for saying this but he would have deserved it !! The sick thing about him is he has had a meteoric rise through the ranks.......
I may be wrong but i think Decy refereed the Derry v Armagh USHC match there in May and got a slating for his performance in the Irish News' 'Whistle Watch'.
QuoteI may be wrong but i think Decy refereed the Derry v Armagh USHC match there in May and got a slating for his performance in the Irish News' 'Whistle Watch'.
Not sure who the ref was at this but he was atrocious. Far too fond of the whistle and broke up any flow in the play which is about the worst thing a ref can do.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on June 27, 2007, 11:11:30 AM
QuoteI may be wrong but i think Decy refereed the Derry v Armagh USHC match there in May and got a slating for his performance in the Irish News' 'Whistle Watch'.
Not sure who the ref was at this but he was atrocious. Far too fond of the whistle and broke up any flow in the play which is about the worst thing a ref can do.
Tony it was the boul Deccy, it shows you the standard of refs in Ulster when he is reffing intercounty matches.
To be honest, Heaney is correct about referee's in Down @ moment.....
Take Mickey Devlin from Glenn.... He must of got the GAA to make him a special size of a Referee top... XXXXXXL... He is that overweight it is a joke. How he passes his referee fitness exam ?????? .. watched him a few weeks ago and all the ground he covered was between the two 45's
I dont like to slag them because it is a thankless task in club football & i wouldn't want to be one myself, but there are some running about and they are brutal....
I suppose its not the fault that the ref makes as many mistakes as the players but he gets the blame....
Quote from: Blacksheep on June 27, 2007, 10:26:42 AM
Could people post the full names, addresses and phone numbers of all the refs in their county and then we could ring them up or call round to give them some advice/constructive critisism.
I think honest feedback from fans and players away from the field of play will help improve standards.
Are you fecking serious?? Drunken clowns ringing up refs in the middle of the night to give "feedback" is going to improve standards? :D :D :D
Or even better, calling round to house in person to scare the wife and kids? Catch a grip.
Admin - keep an eye on this. The first poster to post a ref address or phone number should be banned.
Quote from: Balboa on June 27, 2007, 11:14:20 AM
Quote from: Tony Baloney on June 27, 2007, 11:11:30 AM
QuoteI may be wrong but i think Decy refereed the Derry v Armagh USHC match there in May and got a slating for his performance in the Irish News' 'Whistle Watch'.
Not sure who the ref was at this but he was atrocious. Far too fond of the whistle and broke up any flow in the play which is about the worst thing a ref can do.
Tony it was the boul Deccy, it shows you the standard of refs in Ulster when he is reffing intercounty matches.
I think Deccy gets these games based on the sheer volume of games he referees in a given year. It's not uncommon for him to ring up the referees administrator in both Down and Antrim looking to ref games. I'd say he's a blessing for those boys.
Steady on lads,naming individual referees is bang out of order.
Forgive me if i'm wrong but i think that was meant tongue in cheek...
Quote from: Sky Blue on June 27, 2007, 11:47:43 AM
Quote from: Blacksheep on June 27, 2007, 10:26:42 AM
Could people post the full names, addresses and phone numbers of all the refs in their county and then we could ring them up or call round to give them some advice/constructive critisism.
I think honest feedback from fans and players away from the field of play will help improve standards.
Are you fecking serious?? Drunken clowns ringing up refs in the middle of the night to give "feedback" is going to improve standards? :D :D :D
Or even better, calling round to house in person to scare the wife and kids? Catch a grip.
Admin - keep an eye on this. The first poster to post a ref address or phone number should be banned.
Ok maybe I hadn't thought this through but what about a "Rate my Ref" site or thread just like the rate my teacher website?
Blacksheep is taking the p***. Just watch the refs disappear like snow of a ditch as soon as this crap starts. They already get enough "feedback" during matches and in the press. They also get assessed and get feedback from referees assessors.
The standard of hurling refereeing has defiently improved in Down & Antrim in recent years. I can't speak for the football. The Kilclief ref posters are slagging off isn't nearly as bad as some are making out and has done well in the last 2 Down Senior Finals. Anybody can have a bad game, maybe he had one in Casement that day? Give the man a break FFS.
Quote from: Colonel Cool on June 27, 2007, 01:19:26 PM
They already get enough "feedback" during matches and in the press. They also get assessed and get feedback from referees assessors.
The standard of hurling refereeing has defiently improved in Down & Antrim in recent years. I can't speak for the football. The Kilclief ref posters are slagging off isn't nearly as bad as some are making out and has done well in the last 2 Down Senior Finals. Anybody can have a bad game, maybe he had one in Casement that day? Give the man a break FFS.
diddnt realise that they were assessed at matches, are they told what matched that will be assessed on, or is it a mystery shopper senario.
watched a u14 hurling match tonight and the referee was great, one of those matches when you dont realise there is a ref at all, no idea who he was by the way
Depends on the county Square Ball - in Tyrone they endeavour to assesss the referee at each senior level match, and every referee will have been assessed a number of times over the season, whether Div 1, 2 or 3. The ref won't know who's doing it though - the assessors then submit their reports to the referees subcommittee.
Inter-county wise, there's an assessor there for each match (or there should be!). They give feedback to the referee, from what I've seen often at the referee's request on the night of the match.
In Armagh a nember of referee's give the rest of them a bad name. Be it settling old scores, favouring neighbouring teams or just trying to be hitler's (you know who you are).
Blacksheep you should stick to predicting fixtures than asking to post ref's names, addresses & phone no's :D WTF
QuoteCouple of others to add to your list 6th Sam.
Refs who pick fights with mentors/supporters in the middle of a game..
Refs who single out county players for "special" treatment....and I dont mean protecting them.
Refs betting on one of the teams they are refereeing...I kid you not!!!
[Removed]
But I must say that in any games I have seen the standard of most referees has improved a little (Leo hang up the whistle) but this has been mainly in 1st and 2nd Divisions. I can speak for lower divisions
Quote from: Cloc Mor on June 28, 2007, 05:10:53 PM
[Removed]
But I must say that in any games I have seen the standard of most referees has improved a little (Leo hang up the whistle) but this has been mainly in 1st and 2nd Divisions. I can speak for lower divisions
Couldn't possibly comment.
;D
I have to name & shame this ***** of a referee... S lowey from Bryansford...
This man does not referee for the love of the game... there is too much badness in him...
The worst referee i have ever witnessed set foot on a football field..... My blood boils thinkin of this man
Lets not be all doom & gloom here............what good referees have we come across.....we all know theyre out there......theyre the ones you dont notice during the game.