Club Championships 2025

[Milltown Row2]

In defence of the ref and the first black card decision. In real time I thought the Brigid's one was a stone waller. Ref seemed reluctant to give it and only after consulting with the umpires issued it. On replay it wasn't. Defender tapped him on the upper tight and Geaney clearly dives but officials were operating in real time.
Second one fair enough, black all day long. Again ref was reluctant. I will say if he wasn't sure again he should have consulted his assistants as before.

He did go over to his linesman for the second one, he could have had a sneaky look at the screen as going by the crowd it was probably played back on the big screen, but he'd given the free, which was scored and it would have been a mess fixing that, as he'd given advantage for some reason..

Been there and done it so very hard to be that diligent in real time

[Substandard]

Just wondering if it was a less stellar name than Paul Geaney, might the black be given?  Doesn't matter now, what's done is done, and St Brigids had enough chances for that not to be an issue.

[Milltown Row2]

Just wondering if it was a less stellar name than Paul Geaney, might the black be given?  Doesn't matter now, what's done is done, and St Brigids had enough chances for that not to be an issue.

I don't think ref's at that level have a bias in favour of the 'big' names, the whistle is blown and he's a call to make and whoever that is will be dealt with..

At that level also they are scrutinised by all in sundry from their assessors, reports are given and these do reflect in getting games going forward.

[Truthsayer]

Does seem to be a fear of penalising the big name player even within the club championship in the county. Maybe in awe or fear of the big star. And often get their frees handier.