Respect is name of the game

Respect. Nickey Brennan repeatedly used this word at the launch of the referee's national recruitment drive in Croke Park yesterday as, without respect for officials, Brennan warned, the whole fabric of the association comes under threat.

The GAA president warned the numbers of young referees coming into the game is decreasing. Representatives from all 32 counties were summoned to headquarters, along with the media, as the full mechanism of the GAA machine clicked into gear.

A guide book has been produced for match officials, management and players to provide an insight into the level of preparation and, although the word wasn't used, professionalism required by a referee. Transparency appears to be the main tool being used to ingrain the respect that will entice a younger generation of referees.

"I must use rugby as a comparison to our games as the referee in that game is held in much greater respect," said Brennan in an uncharacteristic tribute of a rival sport. "Ultimately, one thing we're lacking is a respect for referees. It saddens me and while it is not widespread it is there. If top inter-county players and officials show disrespect what sort of message does that send?"

The chairman of the referee's committee, PJ McGrath (the referee in the famous 1982 All-Ireland final), did note the example set by Dublin manager Paul Caffrey this summer when he refused to criticise a poor refereeing performance.

"There is a huge shortage of referees in some counties and it has an effect on fixtures," said McGrath. "These actions (of Caffrey) provide great comfort to referees as it engenders a culture of respect. We'll train them, assess them and turn them into top-class referees."

Recruitment officer Pearse Freaney noted the high age profile and lack of training for club referees, but the recent retraining of a core group of tutors is seen as the route to improving the level of consistency throughout the country. The main targets in the recruitment process are recently retired players, be they of club or county standard.

Meanwhile, Seán Connolly has been ratified as the new Galway minor manager in what was a surprise ousting of Mattie Murphy who delivered two All-Ireland titles in three years. Galway were denied a three-in-a-row when they were beaten by Tipperary in this year's final.

Murphy actually won the first ballot, 23 to 22, but when the third candidate Joe Keane withdrew, his seven votes transferred to the former Galway vocational schools coach Connolly.

In Wexford, Jim Byrne of Fethard has joined Willie Sunderland (Oulart-The Ballagh) and Nick Byrne (Askamore) on John Meyler's new hurling management, while Willie Carley (Glynn-Barntown) is added to Paul Bealin's football set-up.

As largely expected, Brian Cody was ratified for a ninth season in charge of the Kilkenny hurlers on Monday night.