I'm watching with interest some of the commentary on the incident caused by James Owens last week. Personally i think he is, in General, a good referee but he is prone to the odd wild decision every now and then. Remember the black card Penalty he awarded when the player was on the sideline almost. and then the non issuing of a red card in the 2015 AI Final. Anyhow There is no doubt that he cocked up royally last weekend. I cannot understand how or why he didn't realise the impact of what he did and just order a retake. but he didn't. There have been calls for umpires to be referees so that he might be better advised - but as far as I'm aware 3 of his 4 umpires are referees or former referees (so that clearly didn't work) To my mind its all about accountability. James made a mistake. no doubt he will be stood down for a couple of weeks, but there is another issue to be addressed. There is a rule in GAA not sure of the wording but it basically says that when a referee awards a free he cannot change his mind even if he knows its a mistake (or something to that effect). It makes no sense. Its similar to the rule on advantage that if a player with and advantage commits a foul the free goes against him. again it makes no sense. Theres a few other silly rules in GAA that need addressing. in summary refs make mistakes - we all do. tightening up the rule book might help somewhat.
I wonder if the ref was a distraction to Hogan was he also distraction to Bennett who buried anyway. Also was he and his team also distracted when two players took elbows to the head. One not any card and the other a fly bye with intend to injure. These are red card offences. If Austin Gleeson did it would be head lines. Let alone to on this site. Were they distracted when the Tipp goal was a square ball by yards. Look it's a tough job with not near enough support for the ref. Absolutely crazy to expect him to travel as fast as the ball. Two ref job. Use some technology eliminating umpires.
Replying To bystanderbill: "I'm watching with interest some of the commentary on the incident caused by James Owens last week. Personally i think he is, in General, a good referee but he is prone to the odd wild decision every now and then. Remember the black card Penalty he awarded when the player was on the sideline almost. and then the non issuing of a red card in the 2015 AI Final. Anyhow There is no doubt that he cocked up royally last weekend. I cannot understand how or why he didn't realise the impact of what he did and just order a retake. but he didn't. There have been calls for umpires to be referees so that he might be better advised - but as far as I'm aware 3 of his 4 umpires are referees or former referees (so that clearly didn't work) To my mind its all about accountability. James made a mistake. no doubt he will be stood down for a couple of weeks, but there is another issue to be addressed. There is a rule in GAA not sure of the wording but it basically says that when a referee awards a free he cannot change his mind even if he knows its a mistake (or something to that effect). It makes no sense. Its similar to the rule on advantage that if a player with and advantage commits a foul the free goes against him. again it makes no sense. Theres a few other silly rules in GAA that need addressing. in summary refs make mistakes - we all do. tightening up the rule book might help somewhat."
You simply say tighten up rule book but eat do you mean. Do rules not allow a ref to change their mind if orn of their assistants or umpires signal to them_communicate to them that a mistake was made? Refs need better training on rules etc and refs at every level should be meeting monthly or even more regularly with centrally appointed Development officers whose full time job is solely to recruit train and develop referees Depends on what rule the player with advantage breaks as to whether they should have the free against them imo
Replying To bystanderbill: "I'm watching with interest some of the commentary on the incident caused by James Owens last week. Personally i think he is, in General, a good referee but he is prone to the odd wild decision every now and then. Remember the black card Penalty he awarded when the player was on the sideline almost. and then the non issuing of a red card in the 2015 AI Final. Anyhow There is no doubt that he cocked up royally last weekend. I cannot understand how or why he didn't realise the impact of what he did and just order a retake. but he didn't. There have been calls for umpires to be referees so that he might be better advised - but as far as I'm aware 3 of his 4 umpires are referees or former referees (so that clearly didn't work) To my mind its all about accountability. James made a mistake. no doubt he will be stood down for a couple of weeks, but there is another issue to be addressed. There is a rule in GAA not sure of the wording but it basically says that when a referee awards a free he cannot change his mind even if he knows its a mistake (or something to that effect). It makes no sense. Its similar to the rule on advantage that if a player with and advantage commits a foul the free goes against him. again it makes no sense. Theres a few other silly rules in GAA that need addressing. in summary refs make mistakes - we all do. tightening up the rule book might help somewhat."
And the time he blew the whistle at the 2018 drawn semi, just as Clare got turned over in midfield. He was never blowing that, if Clare held possession, because it seems he wanted one side to lose more than the other side.
Replying To bystanderbill: "I'm watching with interest some of the commentary on the incident caused by James Owens last week. Personally i think he is, in General, a good referee but he is prone to the odd wild decision every now and then. Remember the black card Penalty he awarded when the player was on the sideline almost. and then the non issuing of a red card in the 2015 AI Final. Anyhow There is no doubt that he cocked up royally last weekend. I cannot understand how or why he didn't realise the impact of what he did and just order a retake. but he didn't. There have been calls for umpires to be referees so that he might be better advised - but as far as I'm aware 3 of his 4 umpires are referees or former referees (so that clearly didn't work) To my mind its all about accountability. James made a mistake. no doubt he will be stood down for a couple of weeks, but there is another issue to be addressed. There is a rule in GAA not sure of the wording but it basically says that when a referee awards a free he cannot change his mind even if he knows its a mistake (or something to that effect). It makes no sense. Its similar to the rule on advantage that if a player with and advantage commits a foul the free goes against him. again it makes no sense. Theres a few other silly rules in GAA that need addressing. in summary refs make mistakes - we all do. tightening up the rule book might help somewhat."
Don't know if linesmen or umpires can or cannot change refs mind but can't they bring stuff to ref's attention to allow them make a decision.... Advantage rule needs to change to be far better and allow refs determine the advantage far better and go back if it doesn't accrue. In most sports a ref can't change a decision. It's unfortunate but very hard to do anything else.