A former top level hurling referee has called on the GAA to follow rugby's lead and introduce a citing commissioner.

Pat O'Connor, who officiated the 1999, 2001, and '03 All-Ireland SHC finals, believes that both Galway's Adrian Tuohy and Waterford's Austin Gleeson should be suspended for next month's Liam McCarthy Cup decider.

Both players escaped punishment following much-publicised incidents during their counties' respective semi-final victories and Limerick man O'Connor believes it's time a citing commissioner was in place to ensure such incidents don't go unpunished.

"If a referee, linesman or assistant referee misses a particular foul, like in rugby, there should be a citing commissioner," O'Connor told the Irish Examiner.

"There are assessors up there watching GAA referees. Why isn't there a citing official up there, too, bringing these instances to the attention of the CCCC? I understand the CCCC went back to James Owens after his report was submitted. Instead of putting the onus back on the referee, if the CCCC had an issue with how a particular incident was dealt with, they should have the power to deal with it themselves.

"In rugby, the citing commissioner doesn't show the referee in a poor light. Things can happen in a game that go unnoticed by a referee. It has happened to myself. It has happened to every referee.

"For it to come about, a motion would have to be brought to Congress. It would absolutely benefit the game."

Tweet

Most Read Stories