‘Referees not ignoring rules’

Chief Barrett insists there’s no edict to ignore fouls in order to ‘let game flow’

GAA referees’ chief Willie Barrett has insisted that there is no policy of ignoring fouls in hurling in a bid to build on the game’s treasured reputation as a free-flowing spectacle.

Concerns have been expressed this season, in particular, over the liberal interpretation of some rules, notably handpassing, the number of steps taken in possession and swarm-tackling the ball-carrier.

Barrett, chairman of the National Referees’ Development Committee, maintained that irrespective of perceptions, referees were applying the rules to the best of their ability.

“There is no basis whatsoever for claiming they are ignoring fouls just to keep the game flowing. It’s all about applying the rules as set down and while obviously some mistakes will be made, they are genuine and certainly not part of a policy to avoid frees.

“Last night, we met the referees and other officials who will take charge of the All-Ireland finals on Sunday and the message was the same as always: ‘Apply the rules as laid down’. And I have no doubt that they will,” he said.

Tipperary man Barrett, who refereed the 1994 and 1999 All-Ireland finals, acknowledged that it was often diffi-

cult for referees to adjudicate correctly on handpassing, where illegal throws appear to be on the increase.

“The problem is that often the player in possession is ahead of the referee, which makes it hard to be absolutely sure whether the handpass was legal or not.

“The referee is also making a split-second decision in a game moving at very high speed. That’s not easy when it comes to judging a handpass.

“Of course mistakes are made but that’s what they are and certainly not part of some policy to keep play moving. We accept that the handpass is something we have to keep working on and we always address it at our seminars and reviews.”

Barrett believes that the modern game is more difficult to referee because of the increase in handpassing and the number of players around the ball carrier.

“The days of one-on-one marking and everyone more or less staying in positions are gone. Now you will nearly always have five or six players close to the man in possession. That leads to more handpassing and more borderline decisions to be made,” he said.

He declined to comment on James McGrath’s very public exit from inter-county refereeing last week other than to say it was “unfortunate”.

McGrath quit after his omission from any role in Sunday’s finals, claiming that he felt “betrayed by the Association”.

His last big appointment was for the Kilkenny-Limerick All-Ireland quarter-final, a game where he awarded only 12 frees. “It’s a pity what has happened with James but the focus now is on Sunday and I’m sure James Owens will do a great job,” said Barrett.

It will be Owens’ sixth championship game of the season, including two each involving Galway and Limerick.

He sent off a Limerick player on straight red cards in the first half of each of those games.

Aaron Gillane was dismissed against Cork and David Reidy saw red against Clare.