"Referees are under too much pressure" - O'Connor
February 08, 2026
Referee Liam Gordon during the Division 1A clash between Cork and Tipperary at Pairc Ui Chaoimh ©INPHO/Ben Brady
Cork hurling boss Ben O’Connor believes referees are under too much pressure in today's game.
O’Connor was speaking after his side’s Allianz League victory over Tipperary last night at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, where it finished 0-29 to 0-22 after both sides were reduced to 14 men on the eve of half-time.
A prolonged melee saw Cork’s Shane Barrett and Tipperary’s Jason Forde each red-carded afterwards in first-half injury-time and, speaking to RTE Sport after the game, O’Connor played down the incident, pointing out that no one was hurt in it, but did add that officials are under too much pressure.
"Was there anyone hurt? No, and there was pushing and shoving," said the Rebels’ manager. "That's all I saw going on there again tonight. Pushing and shoving between two teams that were mad to have a go at it.
"What other county aren't on the edge? Everyone's on the edge. So, yes, we're saying play on the edge because everyone's on the edge. That's the way the game's supposed to be played.
Ben O'Connor reacts to his side's three wins but has questions for referee Liam Gordon as to why 'he blew us up three minutes early' adding, 'was anyone hurt?', explaining physicality is a part of the game.
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"Just to go back to my comments last week, referees are under too much pressure.
"Red cards, yellow cards, technical areas, they're under too much pressure. Let them go away and referee the match the way they see it and not have an assessor in the stand, putting him under pressure after, [saying] you didn't tick these box, you didn't tick that box.
"That's all I'm saying. That's what every GAA person in the country wants. A good, hard, physical game.
"Mycro (Sportsgear) are saving lives and eyes all over the country with helmets. We're supposed to be playing the fastest field game in the world. If I'm running at you at full pelt and you come at me, slightly turn and flick [me] in the head. Fellas roaring for red cards, yellow cards.
"That's what the helmets are for. No fellas are getting a belt down on the head deliberately. All we're looking for is the game to be left flow."
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