A COUNTY Donegal referee and former Mayo football star has slammed the decision of the CCCC not to take any action against Waterford hurler Austin Gleeson, after he was caught pulling Cork player Luke Meade’s helmet, calling it “shocking and unbelievable”.
Eugene McHale, who played in the 1985 All-Ireland football semi-final for Mayo, said Wexford referee James Owens had some considerable questions to answer after he apparently told the CCCC that he had adjudicated on the matter and deemed the incident to be neither deliberate nor dangerous.
MacHale added that the powers of citing “retrospective incidents” should be taken out of the referee’s hands and given to the CCCC as in the game of rugby.
Former top referee John Bannon had a motion to this effect at Congress, but it was defeated.
“It is just mind-boggling,” said McHale.
“So the referee was happy with the way he officiated. I think that is totally unacceptable and shows the GAA in a very poor light.
“I am sure that when James Owens views this incident again, the only conclusion he can come to is that he has made an error of judgement.
“You can’t have a referee just saying he is happy with the way he dealt with the matter because subsequent video evidence showed that he was incorrect.
“It was clearly deliberate and I think it is time we looked at the referee’s report always being sacrosanct.
“I think that the CCCC should be given the sole power to adjudicate on retrospective incidents and that would take the pressure off referees.
McHale added that he had the height of respect for Austin Gleeson and Waterford.
“It would be terrible for this young talented lad to miss an All-Ireland, but it is even more concerning that the rule has not been applied satisfactorily, because the referee has made a spilt decision in real time.
“That decision should be taken out of his hands and this thing where a referee’s word is taken as sacrosanct when he is clearly incorrect needs to be dealt with also.
In the incident, Gleeson is clearly shown pulling at Meade’s helmet during the first half. The rule is very clear, as a deliberate pull of a helmet carries a red card and a one-match ban and this was also very clear from a retrospective view.
However referee Owens chose to exercise his discretion and chose not to penalise what he saw in real time as he deemed Gleeson’s actions was neither deliberate nor dangerous.
“On second viewing, that is clearly not the case and it gives me no pleasure to say this to a fellow referee,” said McHale
