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I was in Casement yesterday and, as a neutral, I enjoyed two good competitive games of football. Having read previous posts concerning the ref's performance in the senior game, I would have to say that if I were a Kilcoo supporter I would be asking some questions.

However, yesterday I witnessed one of the worst scenes of thuggery I have ever seen at a GAA match. After the game as the ref was leaving the pitch a Kilcoo supporter in the stand stood up and threw a bottle at the ref.

Now, before you ask how I knew the thug - I deliberately use the word - game from Kilcoo, well, I was sitting beside this group throughout the game and the fact that they were holding black and white flags and wearing Kilcoo tops just might give it away.

Is this how far down the mire we have gone? Who does this thug think he is? What gives him the right to throw anything at any GAA official?

Does anybody believe that such an act is acceptable?

The point is that no matter how bad an official performs we must have standards of respect and decency. Without them we have nothing.

Ní raibh mé in ann glacadh le Joe McDonagh ag ceol

Ba mhiath liom comhghairdeas agus buíochas a ghabháil le lucht TG4 as na cláracha ar craolaíodh inné mar chuid de Cheiliúradh 125.

Bhí mé i mo shuí os comhair na teilifíse don lá ar fad agus níor éirigh mé go dtí gur thosaigh Geanntraí.

Lá iontach sultmhar a bhí ann agus ba chuma faoin aimsir taobh amuigh mar ní rachfá áit ar bith agus a mhacasmhail ar fáil.

Ní fhaca mé an clár fá John 3:7 agus bhí sé iontach speisiúil agus anois tá a fhios agam cé tá taobh thiar den chomhartha agus tháinig na cuimnhneacháin uilig ar ais arís ag eisteacht le Mícheal Ó hEithir!! Is trua nar bhain sé an 100 amach.

Maith sibh TG4

Has anybody any info on the propsed 125 dinner in Nov?

MITM, fair point about the ref's nerves being shattered before the County Final.

However, you haven't answered the question. Is MITM a ref on his own or a group of refs?

The reason I ask is that when we do have questions, and I'm sure that we will, we will know if we are directing them to an individual or are we getting the considered opinion of a group of our leading officials.

Good luck to everybody in tonight's finals. The Lamh Dhearg V St Galls match should be a great game.

Some of us decided to make it a collective forum to give a more realistic view so to speak, each to their own but at the same time not take or engage in any old S*** that some posters like to throw!!


MITM, what does that man? Is iT that a group of refs have got together and are posting under the name of MITM?

I agree with your views in not taking any sh1t. Each ref gives his time freely and offers a service to this county and for good or ill they deserve our respect.

Personally, I hope Tommy gets the final as he has been out of the running for the last few years.

[we all feel]

Jesus Queenie, what is your problem, be constructive at least about your issue with the Refs. Matthews, Elliott, Duffy, MC Intyre and Liam(Herbie) are the national referees in the county. All the lads work hard at their games, and Tommy has a even bigger problem with the admin and appointments. Christ its nearly a FT occupation, MR! Colm Cunning is now doing the Intermediate, Ray is injured and may be out for some time, Speedy is doing the junior and we all feel that Tommy or Owen will get the Senior. Now that stops all the guesswork. Minor may go to Liam and M "B" is anybodys guess.

Why take a pop at Rays personal situation, whatever you feel he may or may not look like has now relevance on his experience and ability to control a good game, catch a grip Queenie and lets have a constructive approach and we will engage if the issues are relevant.

Well said, sir.  Who is the "we" in "we all"? Is it a group of refs, players, officials?

Delighted that Speedy got the Junior final and young Cunning has potential so all in all good calls.

Well, new as I am to this board, and I'm sure that you have discussed the matter but we need to start with club hurling.

Our leagues are nothing short of a joke. To resolve this matter we need to get our clubs - yours and mine - to get over the mind set of not playing without County players. Why should 30 odd guys - two teams to play a match including subs - be held ransom because of 3/4 players? It's insane and it's not in anybody's interests not to play matches.

To place the blame at the door of the "County Board"is a kop out. Its the clubs who refuse to play the games. It's the clubs who look for excuses to avoid matches and its the clubs fault that our leagues are in the state that they are in.

I'm sure that this is all old news to those of you who are seasoned campaigners on this site , however, you will forgive me as I'm a newbie.

I think that Owen or Herbie will ref the final but it will most likely be Owen. Good luck to who ever it is.

My reasoning behind this is that none of them has ever done the final. Herbie did the semi-final and its unusual for a ref to get the final after doing the semi.

I've been following this board for some time and I have to say the abuse given to refs is terrible. These guys give their time freely to facilitate the playing of games yet they are abused by particular individuals on this site.

In fact, there is more time spent discussing refs than there is discussing the awful state of hurling in Antrim.

I think that the intermediate final has the potential to be a cracking game. On the day Lamh Dhearg can put in a solid display and Naomh Gall have some very good hurlers. I think that the Milltown men will have a wee bit too much for the Hannahstown men. But how knows.

I