Abuse of Referees

The argument that refs need more training to understand and implement the rules is interesting, seeing as how the players and management all get exactly zero training about the rules but they all feel qualified to comment on the inadequacy of the refs understanding of them. Maybe instead of having "more training for referees" we could have an obligatory rules training for all managers? Because it is not in the least bit unusual for them and their players to talk out of their holes about the rules during matches. You could train them in respecting the ref and in fostering that respect among players while you're at it, teach them what their mothers and fathers failed to do. It's farcical how refs are treated by lads who are in no way accountable to anyone for their behaviour.

Of course its feasible. Players in rugby need to clarify things with the ref more as so many things are down to the interpretation of the ref.

How many times in a GAA game do players actually need clarification from the ref? 90% of the time (an estimation on my part) when players initiate conversation with a ref it's to complain or abuse.

Is there a refs body independent of the gaa that could come out and defend them now and again? Get specific on the details if they need to. I'm conscious it could set a narrative. But I feel the week is going by and basically it looks like a gaa captain can use his chance on the mic to settle his score with the ref, who may have been wrong or right but at least gave an honest effort, and that's all fine. Doesn't seem right. On Sunday I actually expected Clifford to come out and apologize. Says a lot about the attitude to refs. He wouldn't have football games to play in if lads weren't as foolish as they currently are by reffing them. It's beyond thankless at this stage.

Only saw the clip of P Clifford's speech there, absolutely embarrassing stuff for him and a bad way to end what has been a brilliant year for him.

Fairly poor that the GAA haven't mentioned anything about it or come out in support of the referee.

While Paudie was incorrect from what I hear there is extenuating circumstances in the background to why he was upset and emotional about getting send off.

On the refereeing in general I was not at the match but talking to a lad whu was. He taught that the referee left Stewardtown away with a lot of pulling and dragging off the ball. I cannot understand how with four umpires and two linesman at this level that pulling back attackers and a constant hold on there jersey's is allowed.

I am not excusing it I am say there is a reason he was emotional. I did not know about it until the last twenty four hours.

If officials send off a heap of players once then players would learn. I have coached at underage and adult and you play to the edge allowed. However all good coaches will know how far to push.

If the ref had dished out frees and yellow cards early on the pulling and dragging off the ball stops. What is not acceptable is the ref facing play seeing a forward held and dragged and a sweeper collecting the ball and that continued for alot of the game.

The Stewarttown players then reacted at the end of the game when the ref started to actually give the frees.

Players learn from being punished on the field not being rewarded. No player will give a f@@k if he is red carded ten minutes from the end but collects a winners medal

I have huge sympathy for refs in club games often reffing a game with no umpires or linemen and trying to get on with it

I presume that all these guys were miked up last Sunday even if not it's a matter of bringing it to the refs attention the next time there is a break in play.

It was poor from Clifford. Less of the excuses lads. Top GAA players get a way with a lot because of excuses thrown out.

Paudie was shown the line a rightly so.

The ref was ok. He wasnt the winning or losing of the game and certainly doesnt need that kind crap being directed at him by a player who should know better.

The ref has a family and personal life too. But it seems only the top players are entitled to that excuse when it comes to poor performances and making mistakes.

Your first line was "While Paudie was incorrect from what I hear there is extenuating circumstances in the background to why he was upset and emotional about getting send off." That is an excuse. How you know of these extenuating circumstances or what they are you have never made clear.

You then say that the rest of us should take the hint since nobody has mentioned it. Again, without any actual detail.

But what circumstance, going on in the background, could realistically allow him to take shot at the ref like that? What did doing that do to help him with these circumstances? And if he was so emotional and upset, was it really right to let him stand up in the stadium, on national TV, to give a speech? If those around him know of these circumstances, was it really wise to let him give the speech or even play the game at all?

I'm sorry, it all sounds like BS. GAA was staying silent because they hope with the other national finals taking place this weekend that it will all be forgotten about. Tough on the ref, but GAA are not going to risk any bad PR.

Oh, and the following appeared just the other day. He's a cult hero, don't you know?

Nobody is excusing the speech. It will be dealt with in due course.

The circumstances, last Sunday, for the Clifford family were, and continue to be, exceptional. Sometimes there are more important things in life than football.

Not more important than football for Clifford though it would seem. It only became an issue when he was finished playing apparently and wanted to fire a shot at the ref.

Taking it as true about the exceptional circumstances, and I have no idea either way, why was he even playing? That the man was so emotionally fragile that he has to be excused his behaviour of openly questioning the ref calls into question why he was let play the game in the first place.

Did winning really mean more than the man's emotional state? If we accept the bona fides as the exceptional circumstances argument, that in itself raises very serious questions for team management. Surely they have a duty of care to the players not to put such a vulnerable individual into such a high-intensity situation?

Referee let a lot go from both sides early in the game.

When the circumstances emerge, as unfortunately they will, come back to me and let me know if your attempt to score a few internet points were worth the effort.

If these circumstances emerge, I fully expect that the mentors & teams members will be questioned about why they felt it was appropriate to have in play in such a state.

It is deeply unfortunate that the ref ends up being the one to pay the price for their collective refusal to take the right approach and putting winning ahead of their teammate.