The GAA'S weekend seminar for inter-county coaches and county chairman received some mixed reviews. Whereas everyone thought the idea was a good one, opinions varied on likely benefits of the event organised by the Games Administration Committee (GAC). Total attendance was estimated at around two-thirds of those invited, although organisers believe almost every county was represented in some capacity.

"It was interesting," according to Tipperary hurling manager Nicky English, who was unable to attend the full session. "But it's hard to know what will come back out of it."

Divided into nine small groups, those present considered the following topics: fixtures, referees and discipline.

"I'd like to think what we had to say was considered," said Down selector John Murphy. "I thought it gave a useful insight into the problems of officials. I don't know if it should be an annual event, but it could be resurrected biennially. There's always new referees and managers."

Dan McCartan, chairman of the National Referees Committee, addressed the meeting and explained how referees are assessed and monitored, and outlined the ways in which dissatisfaction can be aired. Although the official line is that standards of refereeing have improved, there is disagreement among mentors.

"I think it is improving generally at the upper levels," said Murphy. "Fitness has improved and there's more of an awareness of the intensity of the games and players' frustrations are better understood."

English isn't sure. "There are very few referees in hurling at the moment. In my championship experience I think we've had only two referees, Pat O'Connor and Dickie Murphy. They need more recruits if standards are really to rise."

It has emerged that firm undertakings were offered in relation to standards of umpiring. "A new video from the referees' committee addresses the subject," said GAC chairman Padraig Duffy. "There will also be training seminars for umpires in the provinces."

Currently, umpires are chosen by the referee. They are frequently friends who have assisted the referee throughout his career. Murphy sees much room for improvement.

"Umpires are seen as the lesser of the match officials, but they need to be well-trained. The perception is of laid-back individuals who are virtual spectators at a match. They should be more proactive, a wee bit younger, more agile, better able to move and get the right view of what's happening. There should be a national pool."

Another issue dealt with was order on the sideline. One of the ideas considered was to clear the dugout, with substitutes, physios, doctors and county officials retreating to a reserved space at the front of the stand. This subject arouses strong opinions. One view is that sideline coaching should be discouraged, as it is in other field sports. Not surprisingly, team officials disagree.

"You can't compare soccer with hurling," said English. "There's very little positional switching and tactical moves. To be honest I'd prefer not to see a manager on the field, although I've been guilty of it myself. But there are difficulties when players get injured and you have to judge the extent of the injury and whether you need a replacement."