BARRETT ON...

Abuse of officials

‘It’s a huge thing. We have to set the standard from the top. We feel it’s intolerable. Some of the abuse given is not acceptable. ‘We have clearly told our referees to report it. It’s very difficult for us to recruit referees on a continuous basis when we have guys who have been refereeing a long time taking abuse.’

Recruitment

‘Recruitment is a continuous challenge. We recruited a total of 301 referees for 2019. That’s a huge number. We had over 230 in Croke Park for a recent seminar, for the final part of their course. From every county in the country. That was a big success.’

Hurling handpass clampdown

‘We were pretty strong on that in the League. We’ve looked back on a lot of games and we believe we’ve been successful with the clampdown. It’s the same as any other foul – if the ball is thrown, it’s a free.

‘But it’s a difficult one for the referee. It will always remain a difficult one. If the referee is behind a player, it’s very hard.

‘What we will be looking out for is whether the player in possession’s hand or arm being held? We’ll be telling referees to ensure that the lad making the handpass is not penalised for throwing the ball while at the same time he is being fouled himself. He must get the free.’

Pitch incursions

‘We feel there are too many people running on to the field during a break of play. Or when a free is awarded. A break of play is when the ball goes out over the endline, or goes over the bar, but there are people running on to the field every time there is a stoppage for a free-puck, which is not a break in play. It takes from our game. It’s unnecessary. ‘We will be instructing our sideline officials to ensure this practice is discontinued.’