Westmeath must tackle the lack of respect for referees if the county is to attract new people to take up officiating, according to former County Board Chairman, Seamus Ó Faoláin.
Speaking at the October County Board meeting, Mr Ó Faoláin expressed the view that two decades after a work group examined challenges facing the GAA in recruiting referees, little has changed. He noted how former GAA President, Joe McDonagh had a work group examining all aspects of refereeing, with a particular effort to ascertain whey people don’t take up the whistle.
“It was summed up in one word; there was one reason why people wouldn’t referee. That is abuse. It’s 20 years ago and the abuse aspect has not stopped, including in this county,” remarked Mr Ó Faoláin.
“Referees get verbal abuse in this county which they should not be getting. And maybe clubs are a little reticent about trying to instill in their players that they must have respect for referees. Whether they’re right, whether they’re wrong, they have to be respected,” he said.
Nowadays Mr Ó Faoláin serves as Westmeath’s Central Council Delegate, attending meetings at Ard Comhairle level. The GAA’s leading body often gets people to advise them when the association is facing challenges.
The referees committee was the latest group to meet Ard Comhairle and Westmeath’s Patrick Doherty (GAA National Match Officials Manager in Croke Park) accompanied former All-Ireland football referee, Pat McEnaney (the current National Referees’ Chairman) to a recent meeting.
Mr Ó Faoláin said it was pointed out to the GAA that there is a “huge problem” with a lack of referees on the national hurling panel and counties who are failing to produce hurling referees were wrapped on the knuckles. Remarkable, these included some of the strong counties.
“I can think of referees from Cork, Tipperary, but I’m not so certain that I can think of too many from the All-Ireland champions,” noted Mr Ó Faoláin.
“Brian Cody himself,” replied a quick-thinking delegate from the floor, to which there was ironic laughter. “There’s a touch of irony in that,” noted Mr Ó Faoláin.
Des Briody (Killucan) said he attended county finals in Kilkenny, but he never saw a good referee in it! “Well, they’re well able to assess referees,” replied Mr Ó Faoláin. “They’re very good at that!”
Mr Ó Faoláin went on to compliment John Sexton of Cork, who gave a “very good and positive assessment of our referee (Barry Kelly) in the All-Ireland hurling final.” It was, he felt, well deserved.
Meanwhile, GAA President, Liam O’Neill has given his views on the controversy surrounding Brian Cody’s remarks about Barry Kelly in the wake of Kilkenny’s victory over Tipperary in the All-Ireland final replay. Mr O’Neill, who was away when the remarks were made, spoke of his admiration for both men.
“I preface my remarks by saying I have huge regard for both people in this story. Brian Cody is probably the most successful manager of all time. A fantastic person to give to the GAA at local level, travels the country speaking to groups and takes nothing for it. Does the same with his job in Kilkenny. Does that free gratis as well.”
“I would regard Barry Kelly as one of the greatest referees ever. I think he contributed to a fantastic final. And it’s a source of regret to me that afterwards, that the joy of Kilkenny’s win and the performance of Barry Kelly was taken out of what I thought was a very good contest,” said the GAA President.
Player burnout a problem for the GAA
The minor review group have submitted their report through Micheál Ó Mairtín, after excellent input from all counties and provinces, including all schools. The survey among 300 players presented some interesting findings, including 42% experiencing chronic fatigue as a result of too many GAA games.
Another finding showed that 24% were active seven days per week, with 27% active six days and 81% felt there was undue pressure placed on them to give up hurling or football while wanting to be a dual player. Incredibly, 62% played when injured, while the committee felt that young people should not be forced to play adult games.
Meanwhile, among the many proposals put forward by a group in a comprehensive Leinster Council report is that a player must be in his final year at minor level before he plays adult football. Tommy O’Reilly (Ballynacargy) felt this has the potential to cause problems for small clubs struggling for numbers.
Pat Lynagh (Leinster Council Delegate) said it’s an issue for clubs, while Chairman, Sean Sheridan encouraged clubs to read and study the document very carefully before deciding what to support. Richie Gorman (Milltownpass) felt player burn out is not a massive issue as players are all playing rugby and soccer. “If you haven’t competitions for these players, and they can’t play adult football, you will end up losing them to rugby and soccer. They will go playing them for the year,” he noted.
Sean Sheridan pointed out that minors are not allowed play their own grade at present because of adult football and hurling. This issue needs to be tackled, he felt. Pat Lynagh noted that young players aged 23-24 are going for hip replacements.
The interim report will come back as motions for Congress next year.
Other things include favouring an under 19 competition as opposed to under 17 or 18. It was also felt that a minor player should not play at adult inter county, while a minor not being allowed play under 21 inter county football is also being considered.
Other issues include: minor inter county players not playing adult league football until their inter county football is finished; Leaving cert students not being able to play adult league football until their Leaving Cert exams are over.
Counties will be asked to run a three-year pilot programme at under 13, 15, 17 and 19 levels, from which the GAA will conduct surveys and examine if the changes have an impact. Other things that were examined were scheduling of competitions and proposed changes to the fixtures programme.
Meanwhile, Chairman Sean Sheridan, was critical of clubs who call off underage games without notifying the minor board (Coiste Na nÓg). It’s leading to problems when it comes to finishing competitions.
Michael McHugh said clubs wouldn’t play their games and while Willie Murphy (Delvin) noted that Raharney couldn’t play both minor and senior, it was felt that having no underage hurling final ready was unacceptable.
Unhappy
Coralstown/
Kinnegad miss out on u21
Meanwhile, Joe O’Keefe (Coralstown/Kinnegad) complained that his club wasn’t contacted about the under 21 football championship. He was asked if they had made an application, but while he wasn’t aware he felt a call should have been made to the club.
“You can contact us about everything else. And you’re trying to promote football,” he declared.
Sean Sheridan felt it was unfair, pointing out that notification went to the club, but the delegate continued to complain, pointing out that Coralstown/ Kinnegad compete every year and are always in the knock-out stages. They contribute greatly to the county and should have been alerted, he felt.
Mr Sheridan said two emails were sent to clubs, but the delegate felt in this case a phone call might also have been made.
Youth wants to have its say
The GAA recently held a Youth Consultation Day and there were 69 male and 39 females in attendance. Three proposals emerged: All county finals be played on County Grounds (where possible); that there would be youth representation on County Committees by 2015; the next time they hold the next time they hold a Youth Consultation Day, it would be equal male and female.
Watch out for risky ‘health supplements’
Clubs were asked to be on their guard for network marketed supplements, which can allegedly give players an edge in performance. Medical experts are concerned about this and there are fears that players may fail a drugs test, while there are also other risks. “None of them should be taken unless you doctor approves them,” advised Mr Ó Faoláin.
The GAA’s medical and scientific committee have advised Ard Comhairle about the situation and clubs are being encouraged not to fall into the trap of buying risky products. County Board Chairman, Sean Sheridan, noted that a presentation at a recent meeting in Croke Park warned if the risk of kidney failure for players taking some of these called supplements.
GAA streamline clubs
The GAA has made known the total number of clubs in the organisation. There are 1,613 clubs in the organisation. Some phantom clubs had sprouted up in the hope of acquiring All-Ireland tickets, which didn’t impress the GAA.
Railway Cups
continue
Railway Cups are to continues with Connacht to host hurling and Ulster to host the football.
GAA goes global
The World games Series will be held in Abu Dhabi from 6-8 March 2015, involving Europe, Middle East, Asia, Australasia, New York, North America and Canada. Argentina are also looking to take part, as are South Africa.
Westmeath to have a say on venue for Congress 2016
Westmeath’s Seamus Ó Faoláin will be part of a three-man committee to recommend a suitable venue for the GAA’s 2016 Congress. He will be joined by John Keenan (Derry), Anthony Delaney (Laois). “It was a bit of a poisoned chalice – that’s what my colleagues said to me. ‘Your ears will be hot…’ and so they were,” remarked Mr Ó Faoláin.
