JIM GAVIN HAS called for the GAA to bring in two referees and follow the example of the Compromise Rules.
But the Dublin boss has rejected calls for referees to become semi-professional, a view that was expressed by Mayo manager James Horan this week.
“I think the only professional people in the association should be the administrators. Officials or players, we need to keep that amateur ethos. I see we have some of our top officials officiating at some of the games on the sidelines.
“There is no reason why they can’t step onto the field to assist the referee as a second referee like in Compromise Rules. There is lots of experiences there among the top referees from the rules that two referees work. Anything to share the load for referees has to be welcomed.”
Gavin also insists that it is time to come to terms with the black card and stop complaining about the disciplinary system.
“The easy remark is to blame the referee all the time and we are all guilty of that. We need to look at it more holistically and say that this rule has been passed and it is part of our game now.
“It is not going away and we need to get rid of whatever frustrations are out there. Managing change can be a difficult task but referees have done a good job of it and I think it will get better.”
“The standards that they have set themselves, which are very high, haven’t been achieved in some areas but knowing the individuals involved and their high levels of competence I am sure that they will address it.”
McCloskey, Hanrahan and McGrath. Particularly pleased to see those three names in the line-up.
Depth of Irish squad is something to behold. Really interesting group of players – possibly even a few bolters for the RWC squad in there? Reid, Ruddock, McCloskey perhaps? Surprised to see Duncan Casey not selected though – he’s been in very good form of late. Similarly Collie O’Shea or Garry Ringrose, just to see how they’d fare?
Gary Ringrose will be playing at the under 20 World Cup. Ronan O Mahoney deserved a place on this squad, along with Duncan casey. Don’t see the point in bringing billy holland, who has had a really good season but he’s in his 30s using he?
So, I guess it’s something like:
1s: Cronin, Buckley, Warwick
2s: Herring, Heffernan
3s: Archer, Bealham
locks: Holland, Marshall, Stevenson
back-row: Ruddock, Masterson, McKeon, Leavy, Taggart
9s: Cooney, McGrath
10s: Hanrahan, Scannell
centres: McCloskey, Reid, Griffin
back three: Healy, Conway, O’Halloran, Nelson, Kelleher
I wonder why John Ryan, Duncan Casey, Tadhg Furlong, Jack O’Donoghue, Jack Conan and Ronan O’Mahony weren’t selected
Can only assume the Furlong and Casey are in the running to be part of the main training squad. O’Mahony and Conan exclusion seems daft considering how far they have come on this season and while I know O Donoghue is only well started everything he does screams future international….
No Duncan Casey?
Archer and Holland???? Holland is too old and Archer can’t scrummage.
If there was a better player than Holland available then he wouldn’t be going.
Could have picked a much stronger squad imo. From a Munster perspective, I would much rather see JOD, Casey and ROM in there than Holland and Archer. Conan should be there too as well as Furlong. Still, it’s good to see talent like McCloskey, McGrath and JJ being recognised.
Delighted to see lots of young talents being given the chance to improve and put their hands up for the future.Griffen has being doing well at Irish and playing abroad should not be punished. As a Connacht fan after Ireland I am so pleased Matt Healy is being given a chance, he has a great kick and chase game and seems to be able to get through the eye off the needle a lot. And Denis Buckely is just unbelievable, solid at scrummage and so tenacious at turn over ball, remember the game in Thomond with was it 7 turn overs ? Quinlan couldn’t stop talking him. Best of luck too all involved maybe even a few RWC wild cards in there!!
Great to see Kelleher getting recognition for a great season