Achieving a level of consistency in the application of the rules of gaelic football and hurling is the primary objective for new Referees Development Committee chairman Sean Walsh.

With the championship season now underway, the Kerry native told The Irish Times: "I can say from initial meeting with referees that their knowledge of the rules is impeccable.

"Their fitness is at a very high level and they're being tested again this weekend.

The main thing we'll be trying to achieve over the year and referees are always trying do this is to try to achieve consistency, both within games and from game to game."

The introduction of the one-on-one penalty in hurling will be of particular interest to managers, players and supporters alike.

"There are a number of changes this year that are going to take a lot of watching as to how they're implemented.

"The one-on-one penalty is one of those issues. I think referees will have to be careful that the goalkeeper is staying on his line and the taker isn't hitting the ball inside the line.

I hope that that will be refereed to the letter of the law."

Walsh also wants to clear up the 'confusion' that surrounds the black card in football.

"The big thing for me in relation to this is that there is confusion about the black card offence.

"Not all of the public in my experience know exactly what the black cards are. It's our intention that the list of clearly identifiable black card fouls will be printed in match programmes so that everyone can see exactly what the card is given for.

"Some people think that every foul deserves a black card."

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