Gaelic Football - Rules & Regulations discussion/clarification

[Milltown Row2]

Umpires are provided by Refs which is a bit too loose an arrangement for top level games.

Sean Hurson takes 4 referees from Tyrone for his umpires. Maybe a good solution to the taking the 'oul boy' for a day out argument.

Say you start out doing a bit of umpiring with Sean Hurson 10 years ago. He starts to climb the ladder and get big games and you're told you're not needed for those days.
If Sean messages you to do a Division 3 game in Strabane in March with him, you mightn't be as responsive to him.

He's had the same 4 men for as long as I can remember.

And fair play to him..

[Stall the Bailer]

So is it the best for the job, or the most loyal?
How about something completely different, a pool of umpires appointed, assessed and getting the same expenses as the referees at national level. Instead of the referees needing to get them.
I can understand the reason for this 40-50 years ago but not today.

[GTP]

The umpire made a mistake, looks like poor positioning in the replay giving him a limited view of the shot. A pool of appointed umpires who are regularly assessed would not stop this occurring. If referees feel the current inter-county set up for appointing umpires doesn't work, they need to speak up and not have administrators or worse supporters impose something on them. I'd imagine there is comfort for any ref in having people he knows and trusts at pitch side when it comes to these games. Which is why the bring your own team situation continues.
From limited experience umpiring is more difficult than it looks and again from one underage intercounty game the referee who needed a help out told me his entire team was assessed not just him. Paddy Neilan may find this was his last game of the year due to that decision (which doesn't help the team which feels aggrieved)

[Armagh18]

Genuinely a very hard call to make in real time the way the ball moves you'd think there is a deflection.

[DaleCooper]

So is it the best for the job, or the most loyal?
How about something completely different, a pool of umpires appointed, assessed and getting the same expenses as the referees at national level. Instead of the referees needing to get them.
I can understand the reason for this 40-50 years ago but not today.

Reminder £8k is splurged on the useless hawkeye PER GAME