Blaylock is just perfect for this league: Fulton
ogy be conducted going forward.
In television replays, it appeared that the video umpire had only one wide angle view of the incident to help him arrive at what was a hugely controversial decision.
However, FIH Chief Executive Thierry Weil stated that the umpires “had all the angles they needed to make their decision”.
“When we talk about video umpires, we have one of the best systems around,” he said.
“You should always develop the technology if you can, but the discussion is ‘was there something wrong in the quality which was given to the umpires and we clearly say there is nothing wrong.
“There is a never-ending story and, as long as human beings are involved in umpiring, there will be some mistakes and that needs to be accepted (but) that doesn’t mean I am saying now it was a mistake.”
Ireland captain Jonny Bell was angry about the FIH’s strong stance.
“I was very disappointed to hear that they aren’t listening to our concerns and are unprepared to review how video referral processes are deployed in international hockey,” he said.
“If hockey is to have credibility as an Olympic sport, then areas like this need tightened up so the FIH should be listening,” he added.
Meanwhile, at the European Indoor Championship in Santander yesterday, Ireland opened with a 2-2 draw with Wales and then crashed to an 11-3 defeat against Scotland.
Ireland, who face Slovenia and Spain today, twice came from behind to salvage a point from the Wales game, with goals from Ulster men Callum Robson and John Jackson.
Jackson and Ross Canning (2) got the consolation goals against the Scots.
BELFAST Star coach Adrian Fulton has hailed hot shot Delaney Blaylock as “the perfect American” ahead of his side’s away clash with Maree in the All Ireland Superleague.
Star travel to Maree sitting joint top of the league with Tralee, while third-placed Eanna have a game in hand which could see them make it a three-way tie at the summit. With little room for error, Fulton knows that his side need Blaylock to continue the electrifying form that led to him being voted the December Player of the Month.
“It’s going to be a dog-fight in Maree, that’s for sure and our guys had better be ready for it. It’s a tough place to play and they have been in good form and of course we will be looking for Delaney to maintain his great form,” said Fulton.
“Since he has returned to full fitness Delaney has been great and he thoroughly deserved the Player of the Month award. He really is looking like the perfect American player for this league. He gets points you need, rebounds at both ends of the court and there are times when he is simply unplayable.
“I’ve seen Delaney in games when he is faced with a side that is playing some really good defence and looks like there is no way through and then he produces something that just makes you go ‘wow’. There’s not too many players like that and he is a very good team player.
“He doesn’t mind if he has to be part of a real war, he rises to the occasion and that’s what you need when you are fighting for the title.”
With a third of the season remaining, every game is critical for Star with so many teams still in the hunt for the Superleague crown but Fulton admits he does feel this clash with Maree is of particular importance.
Fulton added: “The lads have shown greater resilience this season, winning games they may not have won last year, and this one is going to be another big test of character in the Maree gym.
“I really do feel that if we can get a win here it will leave us with a great platform to really fight for the title. To get that win we’re going to need a lot of big performances, particularly defensively from the likes of Liam Pettigrew and Keelan Cairns.”