Replying To Canuck: "This umpire had zero excuse for touching that ball. What does he think his functions are ? Back up goalie ? The game could not go on without that ball ? A brain **** for sure or a lack of knowledge to be there in the first place. His action was the trigger for the error of others that followed."
I'm reading all of this and I cant help wonder do a lot of people live in the real world.
1. Referees are in very short supply - both at club and intercounty level. Umpires are even shorter supply. The theory that effectively professional teams of paid officials should be employed just isn't going to happen and even if it did happen the idea that it would reduce the level of mistakes/errors significantly is rubbish. 2. in theory additional technology may assist - for example the strike on the tipp player on sunday. but being honest it took me a few looks at the slomo to see exactly whose hurl hit him. and VAR hasn't exactly been a resounding success in soccer. and i dont think we want regular delays for VAR reviews in GAA
It seems to me that some people just want a reason to give out and point the finger where someone makes a mistake. (And by the way the mistake on the wrong score didn't come from the officials last Sunday) But I dont see any of those same people coming up with realistic alternatives or solutions. If for example 'Professional umpires /officials were retained by the GAA at whatever costs this would ultimately lead to an increase in ticket prices maybe.. Listen to the complaints when that happens.