Cooney calls for more respect for officials

GAELIC GAMES NEWS:GAA PRESIDENT Christy Cooney has described as "unacceptable by any stretch of the imagination" the unruly scenes that marred the climax of Sunday's AIB Connacht club football final between St Brigid's and Corofin in Kiltoom – and has called on the GAA as a whole to show greater respect to match referees.

It’s still unclear what if any sanctions will be handed down by the Connacht Council arising from the incidents when Mayo referee Liam Devenney and his umpires were surrounded and jostled on the pitch after St Brigid’s one-point win, 0-11 to 0-10.

“The reports I’ve received were that it was unsavoury after the match,” said Cooney, “which is unacceptable by any stretch of the imagination. Referees go to do their job to the very best of their ability. I know the game was close but no referee deserves any type of intimidation or hassle. It’s a matter for the referee to report on the situation and for the Connacht Council to deal with it, and I’ve no doubt they will deal with it.

“But we’ve had instances in other counties recently. It’s not good enough. It’s not the standard that we want. Clubs are going to have to get their act together, and show respect to all officials and opposing teams.”

Whatever about the solution, Cooney suggested it shouldn’t be about offering the referee any extra protection: “No, it’s about showing a bit of respect and that’s the bottom line. Clubs are going to have to own up to their responsibility and respect referees and respect officials.”

However there may be a need to designate club finals to neutral venues, and not offer one club home advantage, like St Brigid’s had on Sunday.

“It was a fantastic achievement for a club to be able to hold a fixture like that at their own venue,” he said, “but we must make sure the facilities are in place to do so. It’s a tradition that takes place in Connacht. I don’t see any reason why it can’t happen if there is proper stewarding and proper management of the venue.

“From what I understand it didn’t seem to be in place last Sunday, for people to be able to get onto the pitch like that.”

Cooney also rejected the suggestion such incidents are at least partly overblown, given the time of year: “No, it can’t be condoned under any circumstances, it doesn’t matter what time of year it is. Clubs now have a responsibility to own up and give the evidence honestly and fairly. And if they have to name people, name people. We can’t accept these standards . . . This is not good for our association.”

Cooney was speaking in Croke Park at the launch of “Off the Booze and On the Ball”, the GAA’s latest initiative to tackle the issue of alcohol abuse. It’s calling on all association members to give up alcohol for the month of January, and in doing so seek sponsorship to go towards their local GAA club. Participants are also encouraged to engage in new exercises that help them reach their recommended weekly activity levels during the month, and hopefully throughout 2012. Individuals and panel members can sign up at www.gaa.ie/asap

Fixtures

SUNDAY– Ulster Club SFC final: Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) v Burren (Down), Morgan Athletic Grounds, 3.15; Leinster Club SHC final: Coolderry (Offaly) v Oulart-the-Ballagh (Wexford), Nowlan Park, 2.0; Munster Club SHC final: Crusheen (Clare) v Na Piarsaigh (Limerick), Thurles, 2.0