Westmeath referees in the eye of a hurling storm

 

It's been a magical hurling summer so far with all sorts of drama and surprise results - and two Westmeath referees have been at the centre of huge controversy.

James McGrath, a former teacher at Athlone Community College, was the subject of a tidal wave of negative comment in sections of the media following his decision to send off Cork's Patrick Horgan in the Munster final against Limerick on July 14.

However, McGrath harbours no regrets over issuing the red card Horgan despite Croke Park subsequently rescinding Horgan’s one-match ban. The Cork captain went on to seize the reprieve with both hands and was an inspirational figure in the Rebels’ outstanding victory over Kilkenny last Sunday.

Horgan was sent off for striking Limerick’s Paudie O’Brien across the back of the helmet with an outstretched hurl, but his suspension was quashed after a hearing of the GAA’s Central Hearings Committee, clearing him to play against Kilkenny in last Sunday’s Qualifier.

“At the beginning of the year, we were instructed that any tackle to the head, helmet and groin would be dealt with more severely than in the past,” James said last week.

The deputy principal of Castlepollard Community College took to social media to defend himself, after Sky Sports News presenter Rachel Wyse – who writes for the Irish Independent – described McGrath’s decision as an example of referees “making glaring errors which are having catastrophic effects”.

McGrath responded online: “Thanks to all those in the media & chat forums who have single handedly 'bashed’ me – just to say that it has made me stronger, I will stand the test of time... thanks again, really appreciate it.’

The comments weren’t all critical of McGrath's decision, however. Former referee John Bannon, writing in The Irish Examiner, judged that even if Horgan merely tapped O’Brien on the helmet, “the Cork player struck an opponent in the back of the head”.

“Having watched it several times in replay, McGrath was justified to give the red card,” Bannon argued. “I heard somebody on radio say O’Brien faked the injury, but that’s just ridiculous as the ball clearly hurt him. It was just as silly to hear the referee should have known Horgan isn’t that kind of player. Referees aren’t instructed to consider a guy’s reputation going into a game.”

Pat McEnaney (National Referees' Committee chairman) remarked last week that McGrath was “spot on”, and that instructions about head tackles issued at the start of the year won’t change.

McGrath (from the Turin club in Westmeath) believes that while his critics are quick to lambast him for applying the rules, they are equally adept at “shouting about player welfare”, when key players sustain blows to the head.

Last Sunday, for the second time in as many weeks, a Westmeath referee hit the sporting headlines – with Barry Kelly decision to issue a red card in Semple Stadium causing national debate.

The recipient of Sunday’s ultimate sanction was no less a luminary than Kilkenny legend, Henry Shefflin, who had never previously been sent off during his hugely distinguished inter county career. Henry’s dismissal, on two yellow cards, shortly before the half-time whistle cast Kelly into the spotlight.

A number of the commentators felt the penalty was harsh, with pundits arguing that the first yellow card was extremely harsh, given other incidents in the game. However, when the red card was flashed, the great man himself did not question Barry’s decision, immediately removing his helmet before making his way off the field, past an animated Brian Cody.

Writing in Monday’s Independent recently retired Waterford great, John Mullane, said he would be “a small bit critical of Barry. The second yellow card was merited but the first one was a bit harsh”.

When contacted earlier this week, Kelly indicated that as his match report had not reached Croke Park, it would be inappropriate for him to make any comment in relation to the incident.

Kelly took charge of last year's drawn All-Ireland final between Kilkenny and Galway and, interestingly, McGrath was the man in the middle for the replay. A member of the St Oliver Plunkett's and Mullingar Shamrocks clubs, Kelly is also a respected football referee in Westmeath.