Referee abandons ill-tempered encounter

THE fixture between Tinahely and Rathnew in the opening round of the 2020 SFL Division 1 league was abandoned by referee Pat Dunne after just 16 minutes of ill-tempered and niggly play.

It is understood that Dunne’s reasons for calling a halt to the game were on health and safety grounds and it is the latest episode to occur in what is fast becoming a very unhealthy relationship between these two clubs.

At the time the game was abandoned it is understood that the Hollywood official had shown six yellow cards and two red cards (second yellows) but that a coming together of a large group of players from both sides caused the referee to sound his three shrill whistles to signal the end of the contest.

Pat Dunne was the sole official at the fixture after the game was started without official umpires and with no linesmen present.

Wicklow GAA may well be in for a long year if this insane reality is going to be permitted to persist.

Serious leadership is required from the powers that be within Wicklow GAA going forward to ensure that every match official has four umpires at every single game.

There were suggestions that the removal of a match pass was a main reason for the departure of a large number of umpires from service. Surely it is time to come up with a modern equivalent that cannot be abused so as to attract more helpers for referees.

It is difficult enough for referees to try and implement the rules but to expect a single man to be in control of a fast-moving game with 30 men on the field is utter nonsense and the responsibility for this farcical situation lies wholly at the door of the Wicklow County Board.

The CCC will meet this week to try and sift through the video evidence and the referee’s report from this game.

Rathnew GAA Club made an allegation on social media immediately after the game as to why Pat Dunne had abandoned the fixture.

Members of Tinahely GAA Club and its Chairman Patrick Murphy have taken issue with that allegation so the decision of the CCC in the coming days will be of huge interest.