A THANKLESS JOB & THAT’S OFFICIAL

Fans returning presents its own unique challenges for refs

THAT a couple of sideline critics let Donal Smyth know he had made mistakes in his first competitive game back came as no shock to the man in the middle.

But the fact a player leapt to his defence was a welcome surprise to the former All-ireland winner with Meath.

“One of the players told the spectators to give me a break,” smiled Smyth who is now the GAA’S national match officials manager.

The game in question was a Meath League clash between Rathkenny and Duleek-bellewstown, a bit of a step up after he took charge of a couple of challenge games to get back to speed after four months of waiting for the green light again.

“It’s a learning process and the whole education module part of it has been very good,” Smyth

(right) said.

“We’ve been liaising with the LGFA and the

Camogie Association as well, we have referees officiating across them all and there’s a lot of information about guidelines and those change quickly.

“Luckily I’m still a referee myself so you do know what’s going on and how they’re coping. We’re dealing with a few things at the moment. There’s the whole Covid stuff in terms of the guidelines of where you are on the field, your proximity to players and water breaks.

“You have to keep trying to keep all of that right.

“You have to be aware of your own presence in relation to the players and vice-versa. “I think everyone may have felt some trepidation but, having missed out on almost 20 weeks, you are enjoying it again whether you’re a player, supporter or a referee.

“Like it or not, for the last four months we’ve been told about social distancing and players are very well aware of the situation.

“They’re just glad to be back on the field again though the physicality of the game hasn’t changed.”

David Gough, who refereed last year’s All-ireland final, has chosen to stay away from the game during the Covid-19 crisis.

He’s not the only one. In Kerry, for example, four referees have opted out for the time being.

And now a number of clubs have temporarily halted all activity due to players potentially having contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

In at least one case it has been speculated that, along with players and club officials, match officials were to undergo testing. “That’s very much a decision for the health authorities,” remarked Smyth.

“We are not experts in public health so it will come down to what the health authorities consider casual or close contact.

“At club level, many umpires are fairly elderly and although they’ve helped out for years, they don’t want to take a chance as they’re a bit nervous.

“For some referees, their circumstances at home might be different, they might have sick children, wives or family and so it’s not cut and dried.

“Opting out would never be held against anyone.”