Standard of local referees leaves a lot to be desired
OH TO be a referee. They are the men in black, or whatever colour jersey they choose, who we as sports fans spend days ridiculing and lambasting. The vitriolic chants, the persistent abuse, the abhorrent treatment, and that’s just from supporters.
Yet their participation in the games of hurling and football we all love is crucial, perhaps more crucial than anyone else involved. Without referees we have no games.
Of course, not all referees are treated in such a disdainful way. Some referees are more fortunate.
Take rugby just as an example. The referee makes his call and offers his explanation for the decision, leaving the player dutifully to walk away, allowing the penalty to be taken.
Take soccer where we have many types of player remonstrations, with the expletives hissed at the man in the middle by overpaid prima donnas.
In G.A.A. the verbals will be exchanged between player and referee, accompanied by more verbals from the sideline, along with the tuppence worth from the terraces.
More often than not the yellow card will be brandished, which is only meaningful should a second yellow be issued during the course of the game, as it does not carry over any penalty points to further games.
Then just to stamp his authority on proceedings, the referee moves the ball forward 15 metres, but in many cases this is misread with some going 20 to 25 metres from where the free is to be taken. But the burning issue is: are G.A.A. referees up to scratch? The refereeing quality cannot be taken in isolation, with judgement passed on just one incident, but rather over a series of games.
Looking at the local domestic scene, with the referee grading a closely-guarded secret, one would already have to come to the conclusion that the standard of refereeing in the county would be regarded as mediocre at best.
Apart from James Owens, Wexford has no referee graded to take charge of a top-class inter-county game in either hurling or football.
Having witnessed so many games from Senior right down to Junior levels, one would have to come the conclusion, even so early in the season, that there is a glaring lack of consistency in the interpretation of the rules both in hurling and football.
Much frustration is creeping in with players given the lack of quality referees.
While much emphasis is put on fitness and dress attire, along with their skill set in the interpretation of rules, the standard so far this year has taken a nosedive.
Put simply, many referees appointed to Senior championship games are not of the required standard.
It’s disappointing to see the low standards of refereeing in many of our games when in many cases so much hinges on their call.
TWO IMPORTANT GAMES
In other news, Wexford have two important inter-county games coming up this week.
The Under-21 hurlers will be setting out on their championship trail seeking a record four provincial titles in a row, against Dublin in Innovate Wexford Park, while the Junior footballers, having won Leinster two last year, have home advantage against Longford.
With eight of last year’s 15 in their starting team, the Wexford Under-21 manager J.J. Doyle, will be confidently looking forward to the game.
It is a daunting challenge but a big home crowd would go a long way towards getting the boys over the line.
A victory in both games would be a huge boost as the county’s Senior hurlers and footballers begin preparations for the qualifiers.
Wexford may not have the most enviable record when it comes to qualifier success, but it’s still an opportunity to keep the county’s championship hopes intact.
The draw for the football qualifiers will be made on June 7, with the next game on June 25, while the hurlers will be in action on July 2 and will know their opponents on June 20. Our potential football opponents are Longford, Antrim, London, Limerick, Monaghan or Down,Offaly or Westmeath, Fermanagh or Donegal.