The choice of Ulster referee Pat McEnaney to officate in an All-Ireland semi-final involving a team from his own province has been defended by the National Referees Association. Some have seen the appointment as a surprise, considering that McEnaney hails from the same province as Tyrone and referees are usually chosen from the most netrual venue possible for a match of such importance, but National Referees's spokesman Fr Seamus Gardiner has said that the ruling has been relaxed since last year. "We have moved away from that," admitted Gardiner. "It is not as stringent as it was." "The present appointments committee changed it last year; they said the appointments will mainly be from outside the province, but not necessarily always." Wexford officials also seem to be okay with the appointment too, indicating that it will be up to the team to do their best to try and win the game. "The referee won't beat us on Sunday," said County Board chairman Ger Doyle. "We have to go and play our game and we won't be blaming the referee or anything like that. "Pat (McEnaney) won't be going out because he is from Ulster; he'll be going out to do a fair job." Another Ulster referee will be officiating the replay clash between Cork and Kerry at Croke Park on the same day. Donegal's Jimmy White will be the man in the middle and is sure to have his hands full after Munster's greatest rivals produced a heated encounter in their meeting last Sunday at the same venue. Tweet

Most Read Stories