Connor delivers referee blast

[sligoman]

Sligo Rovers manager Sean Connor has criticised the performance of referee Neil Doyle during last Friday night’s eircom League First Division clash with Athlone Town, during which he showed a straight red card to Rovers midfielder Conor O’Grady.

Doyle, one of the most highly-rated young officials in the game in Ireland, sent O’Grady for an early shower after a tackle on Athlone’s Damien Rushe 15 minutes into the second half.

But Connor felt that the offence did not warrant a dismissal for the former Cork City and Derry City man.

He told the Sligo Weekender: “I thought it was harsh because it is not as if he was carrying a yellow card. I think it was a bookable tackle but I think he [O’Grady] actually won something of the ball as well.

“You know the lad is disappointed, but I’m not because Conor O’Grady has given me as I’ve always said before ‘exactly what it says on the tin’. He loves playing for this football club.

”He certainly likes playing for me and he was unlucky [to be sent off] and I was disappointed with the referee all night. But actually I am disappointed with the referees in the last three or four games.”

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/first/irish_soccer_detail.asp?newsid=17176

[Da Real Rover]

Exactly what has been said here. Is it that the officials have a vendetta against Rovers, cause its beginning to look like that.

[Petmuller]

Exactly what has been said here. Is it that the officials have a vendetta against Rovers, cause its beginning to look like that.

As I've stated on this forum before I think it's only losers that resort to blaming the referee and the tea lady when games are lost. Not so long ago a certain gentleman sat in the Rovers hotseat and he blamed everyone and anything for us dropping points. Points/games are won on the pitch, criticising referees decisions in the local/national media is just another way of waving the white flag. Connor is showing his inexperience and it don't look too good. He'd need to get a hold of himself or the slide will become serious. Rovers supporters are not overly patient as has been proven in the past. Lose the support and you're fcuked Mr C. Get a grip, concentrate on your team's formation and let the referee get on with his job. Another defeat at home and you'll need to come up with a better excuse that bad refereeing.

[Da Real Rover]

Petmuller are you sure your not related to DOR or in some way affiliated to him.You never seem to get off SCs back. He is new on the job and hasn't half got a good start, so cut him some slack because for once in a few years were actually looking forward and progressing and not stagnating under you know who.