Mark O'neill-cummins' Eircom Lge Focus
What do you think of the standard of
refereeing in the eircom League? I
think the standard is great.
We have some of the best officials
anywhere in Europe. Not only that, but
we have female as well as male
officials, something you don't get
everywhere.
The referees and their assistants get a
tough time from fans and are often
guilty of making mistakes. But the
important thing to remember is that the
referee is boss and what he or she says
goes.
They can overrule decisions made by
their assistants and what they say is
final.
This was very much in evidence at Tolka
Park last Monday night.
For those that weren't there - this is
what happened. Declan O'Brien was
flagged offside by assistant Kieran
Delaney as he ran towards the Shels
box.
The home defenders stopped in their
tracks, expecting a free out, but ref
John Feighery ignored the flag and
waved play on.
O'Brien went on to score and put Drogs
3-2 up. However, Jason Byrne snatched a
point for Shels at the death. You can
understand why the Shels players
stopped.
There's no easy solution but maybe
players should wait for a whistle
instead of looking at the flag?
Feighery had every right to overrule
his assistant.
His decision led to Shels players
confronting the officials and their
management entering the pitch to do
likewise. This has to stop. Not just at
Shels, who are major offenders, but at
grounds in general.
Managers, coaches and club officials
have no business entering the field of
play during the game.
I heard comments from Shels fans that
the decision cost them the two extra
points. That's not strictly true.
Had the free out been given, the game
would have taken a different flow and
Byrne may not have been in the position
to score that goal, which became an
equaliser.
But it will be interesting to see if,
come November, Shels miss out on the
Champions League or UEFA Cup places by
two points.
A number of good points, but dont agree with the standard of the league referees being great
