Thankfully Joe McQuillan won't get the nod again - I think the fella has suffered enough.
That's the 3rd game on the trot that I feel he's been compromised from outside influences when officiating a Dublin game
The 3 games coming against Mayo... coincidence... I think not.
This all started from a couple of calls he got wrong in 2011 - and the flood gates of abuse opened.
Then the James Horan article before the 2012 AI semi-final added petrol to the fire - purposely so of course.
Accusing Joe of all sorts, it was widely published and it got massive coverage on social media, and until very recently he was still getting massive criticism about favouring Dublin. Years after the fact... it was a constant stream of criticism and conspiracy theories
He's only human and I think this has greatly impacted his performances. Constant negativity and bringing his character into question
Off the back of the widely published James Horan article
In 2012 he let Mayo away with tactical fouling for the entire game against Dublin - highlighted on The Sunday game - showing several examples
Next day out Mayo tried the same and it was quickly put to bed - M Deegan showed an early yellow - bye bye massive advantage to Mayo.
Tap over frees have made up a vast bulk of their scoring against Dublin - 2013 final - 2015 AI semi-final
Mayo know they don't have the forwards all too well - and they play for frees with their rather theatrical dives inside O'Connor's scoring range.
Because I think he's been compromised by the on-going negativity since 2011, and then off the back of that the widely published James Horan article, I'm very glad he wont be in charge of the next game.
The players in no way helped him out on Sunday - and that's to the shame of both panels - although once again he failed to make an early mark on the game, just like he did in 2012.
But it's my honest opinion, that all the massive negativity surrounding him, from print media, the conspiracy theories surrounding him, the massive online campaigns highlighting him... it's all left a lasting mark on his performance's when officiating Dublin matches.
I don't think there's ever been a ref, who's been subjected to such a prolonged smear campaign - across all forms of media - it's a topic that has continued.
I feel sorry for the man.
I'm delighted there wont be a ref with such massive baggage taking charge of the next match
I'd question ever putting him in charge of big Dublin games again.
Horan's timely reminder to 'top-class' referee McQuillan
Mayo manager James Horan made a guarded warning to Cavan referee Joe McQuillan not to use his association with the Dublin squad against his side in Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final.
The Cavan whistler refereed four of Dublin's six championship matches in their run to the All-Ireland last year and has been criticised for some of the decisions made against Kerry in the final. He is also known to have taken charge of several Dublin's A versus B games this year as well.
Horan initially declared himself fine with the decision but added that the referees review committee would retrospectively look at any contentious issues.
"He's a top-class inter-county referee," he said.
"There's a lot of commentary out there that he is very familiar with the Dublin set up and, as you said, he refereed a lot of their A versus B games this year. But, look, we're happy with the referee that's appointed. There's a review committee there so if there was any questionable decisions they'd review that.
"We just go with the referees that are there. I have a lot of Kerry friends from last year that weren't too happy with some of his decisions but sin scéal eile.
"The referee has been appointed. The review committee is there to judge referees and that's not for us to do. I'm sure refereeing A versus B games will have no bearing on his performance against us in Croker."
I have no doubt in my mind that it will be a completely different game with Kinsella in charge
A ref with no baggage, with no prolonged smear campaign across all forms of media aimed at him, and his so called favouritism of Dublin.
As I said best of luck to Eddie Kinsella.
I hope the players play their part in making it a proper game of football - because last Sunday was a particularly poor example of all that is wrong with football at the minute.
I should have stayed on the beach! I wont be at the next game again, currently on Hols... but in all honesty if it continues in the same manner - I'll just walk out of the bar and go have a good time out and about...
Enjoy it lads / lasses... looking at the forum for the first time in a couple of weeks and saw the very many threads and BS....
A lot of hate filled stuff. Hmmmm it makes you wonder...
I've a feeling that a player will get the line early on Saturday because of the antics last week . The player may not even deserve it but the ref will want to lay a marker.
Hopefully he wont be the highlight of the post match analysis as the ref was the last day.
Not too familiar with Kinsella in big games and not sure sure what sort of ref he is but he certainly has a tough job on his hands. Ive a feeling that he may need alot of help from his umpires and linesman.
Hopefully whichever team wins isnt down to a bad referee decision.
BTW if there is another draw is it another replay or extra time?? Cant ever remember teams drawing twice in a semi final in the recent past.