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Ref Mic

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Replying To ForeverBlue2: "The GAA are hardly going to want them miked up if it means them trying to explain some of their stupid decisions…. egg on face and all that.. not hard to work out…. It's a system that works very well in rugby and American football where the spectators know exactly why a decision was made… The problem in the GAA is a lot of times the referee can't explain the decision…." Go follow your local rugby then or buy a whistle and Don the Black Jersey DeMan (Monaghan) - Posts: 115 - 14/08/2022 18:18:31 2437386 Link
Replying To Seeking_silver: "John O'Halloran from limerick was miked up for a Kerry club semi final (i think) last Sunday on TG4. A game ran by the GAA. I don't see too many of you on commenting on the fine job he did. Seems like this forum is very typical social media where faceless people just like to criticise." Was the Kerry final and he did a good job. The officiating team in Wexfords senior final today were excellent also. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15700 - 14/08/2022 20:03:08 2437411 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "Attendances at GAA matches nationally versus attendances at club rugby matches is one measure. There are 47 GAA clubs in Westmeath, one or two rugby clubs, likewise in every county, participating rates another measure." we were talking about incidents involving match officials and abuse etc. even taking into account the number of clubs in each and looking at it proportionally there is way more incidents in the GAA of ref abuse/attacks etc KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3758 - 14/08/2022 21:08:14 2437426 Link
I started this thread and it was in no way aimed at having a go at referees. There is a few jobs i wouldn't do for love or money and this is certainly one of them. I'm a pretty mild mannered person but I still get caught up in the moment at matches and roar at the ref!! I do think there are often technical rules, things we cannot see from the sideline etc and because we cannot see it we invariable think the ref is off his head. Ref Mic and a bit of transparency would certainly help improve respect for the refs who by and large do a good job. That is not to say there isn't a few cowboys (like there is in every walk of life) but it may help to weed them out also. Potentially there is a commercial element to this. Ear pieces could be sold at games giving fans access to the ref mic. It would definitely be a hit at the start but personally I think it might be a bit of a fad and people will stop paying quick enough unless the ear pieces included other stuff like in stadium radio etc not neccessarily a very hard thing to do as you already have music etc being played out of the 100 year old speakers at most grounds .....so someone is already at it in another guise. Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1920 - 15/08/2022 09:21:06 2437452 Link
Honestly I think it would be a good thing. The genuine fan is often wondering what the call was for or missed it. The ones who bash the ref will do it anyway. Also the ref would be encouraged in giving a proper explanation to the player. Some do anyway but others can be heard shouting shut up and get on with it. Also it will pick up the player if abusing the ref. All in all not going to change the game drastically but a step forward that does not have too many negatives. Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 3035 - 16/08/2022 18:20:18 2437717 Link
Introducing more transparency, such as providing access to referee microphones, could indeed be a positive step. It would allow fans to hear the conversations between referees and players, providing insight into the decisions being made and the reasoning behind them. This increased transparency might help fans better understand the technical rules and challenges faced by referees, leading to more empathy and respect for their role. fuoos (Kerry) - Posts: 5 - 18/07/2023 18:04:20 2495488 Link
I see in Offaly this year the Chairman and Referee's Coordinator held meetings with the clubs (Chairmen, secretaries and managers) to explain how the officials will be officiating the championship matches this year in the hope that it would help all the teams prepare for the games and go some way to explaining decisions that are made. I think its an interesting way to go and to be applauded. Would also love to see referees being miked up for games, I feel like it would put a big onus on players to focus on their own game rather than trying to referee it! keepitlit (Longford) - Posts: 45 - 19/07/2023 10:38:28 2495566 Link
Replying To keepitlit: "I see in Offaly this year the Chairman and Referee's Coordinator held meetings with the clubs (Chairmen, secretaries and managers) to explain how the officials will be officiating the championship matches this year in the hope that it would help all the teams prepare for the games and go some way to explaining decisions that are made. I think its an interesting way to go and to be applauded. Would also love to see referees being miked up for games, I feel like it would put a big onus on players to focus on their own game rather than trying to referee it!" That should happen every county every year. been happening in rugby for years refs on top of this need a monthly meeting with a county board appointed or provincial council appointed full time referee development officer who will talk through rules, game management etc KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3758 - 19/07/2023 11:23:05 2495588 Link
You have to protect the referee at all cost and we don't do near enough for them. We undermine and ridicule every decision they make and consistently rescind/overturn the cards they issue. Its even got to the stage before a match even starts about how the refs ability to do the job. "Not this lad again", "did you see the one he gave", "How do we keep getting him" etc etc etc... Lets make one thing clear. Rarely if ever, does a team loose a game because of a referee. Yes there are questionable decisions but teams and supporters would want to look at their own teams performance long before they look at the referees. Just using referees as an easy target and looking for someone to blame is cowardice. Strangely enough i'd still be in favour. Not for the referees decision making, but to hear the dogs abuse they have to take. We might just get our eyes opened. Anyhow all you have to do is watch the referees hand gestures as they indicate their reasoning for the decisions they make. God forbid they had a mic and we couldn't understand their accent... We gotta start moving past ref criticism ponger (Cavan) - Posts: 550 - 19/07/2023 11:58:37 2495598 Link
I think the ref mic will eventually come into play..it was used last year for Kerry hurling final with John o halloran(limerick)the ref..it was great to hear him talking to the players and the reason he was awarding the frees..if a player was booked it was explained..not sure was it tg4 that decided it was using it..not sure what happened to its use after that..think it was meant to be used in Wexford but it was stopped..it is great in rugby to hear ref communicate with players and reviewing decisions..it might actually stop the non stop shouting by management to..if I'm correct some refs in ladies football always actually had a live camera on them during some matches..if technology helps it's the way to go..there are a few things in ladies games including countdown clock that the Gaa should be using.. CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2507 - 19/07/2023 12:41:02 2495608 Link
Some of the most beloved players in GAA would be thought less of if people could hear what they are saying on the TV. ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1336 - 19/07/2023 14:13:57 2495643 Link
Would it really help? everyone would be expecting it to be like rugby, a very different game where the referee has time to explain decisions to players, in the GAA, players don't care about why and should be more interested these days in getting back into their systems, the TV viewers are getting replays and the commentors opinions all the time, most of which are wrong anyway. I think it would be a waste of time and only serve to create more drama for the media. zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1963 - 19/07/2023 14:53:27 2495660 Link
Replying To Saynothing: "Can see no reason why the shaving foam can't be use to mark the spot for frees. Would refs be allowed to do this off their own bat?" Frees off the ground would stop it. Free off the ground is a real test of skill also. points50swiththeargyllsonthewrongfeet (Tyrone) - Posts: 293 - 19/07/2023 15:19:33 2495668 Link
Replying To points50swiththeargyllsonthewrongfeet: "Frees off the ground would stop it. Free off the ground is a real test of skill also." Good I don't know, good footballers can do both but a poor footballer can still kick a ball off the ground with practice.Nike have a swinging pendulum with a boot on it to pinpoint kicks with their new boots , so I think it takes more skill from hands. My view but everyone is different. Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2290 - 19/07/2023 18:53:20 2495719 Link
Replying To zinny: "Would it really help? everyone would be expecting it to be like rugby, a very different game where the referee has time to explain decisions to players, in the GAA, players don't care about why and should be more interested these days in getting back into their systems, the TV viewers are getting replays and the commentors opinions all the time, most of which are wrong anyway. I think it would be a waste of time and only serve to create more drama for the media." When playing myself there is nothing more frustrating than been blown for a free and asking the referee in a genuine respectful manner what was the free for and been told to walk away. The better referee will tell you what he seen and why he called it and even if I believe he was wrong at least I can see why he might have given that. But been told walk away from the ref just says to me that he doesn't know himself why hes blown it or that he has serious doubt in his decision and doesn't want to look like a fool. Perfect example was this past weekend in Wexford junior hurling championship where the referee dished out a black card to a player even though black cards are not sanctioned in club hurling. Even when protested to the ref he stuck to his guns about it. I think mic'd up referees can be a positive thing. I remember watching something on rte where it showed a behind the scenes view of all Ireland final day and the ref was micd up and hearing him explain to players what the foul was or telling them to cop on to themselves as a viewer gives at least some level of understanding for their decision. It obviously won't stop all the controversy or abuse to refs as people will be biased to their own teams but i think it could stop it even a little bit and overtime little by little bring the abuse down. On your point about time to explain the decision it doesn't need to be a thesis on why the foul was awarded just you committed this infringement by doing x y or z. 9 times out of 10 the fouls that people give out about are within free scoring range so there is time to explain while the free taker is coming out and setting up for the free. At least if could hear the ref saying I gave this decision for this reason we wouldn't have to hear like of Michael Duignan giving his opinion on why or why not the ref gave the free camánouttathat (Wexford) - Posts: 63 - 19/07/2023 23:01:06 2495733 Link
You didn't need a mic to understand what Doherty was shouting after he scored the goal against Cork. Rory Gallagher was at the same during the game against Fermanagh. At this level people should learn to celebrate without yelling obscenities. PattyONeill (Derry) - Posts: 263 - 19/07/2023 23:51:57 2495740 Link
Replying To PattyONeill: "You didn't need a mic to understand what Doherty was shouting after he scored the goal against Cork. Rory Gallagher was at the same during the game against Fermanagh. At this level people should learn to celebrate without yelling obscenities." At every level and every age. GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7972 - 20/07/2023 13:38:44 2495809 Link
Replying To camánouttathat: "When playing myself there is nothing more frustrating than been blown for a free and asking the referee in a genuine respectful manner what was the free for and been told to walk away. The better referee will tell you what he seen and why he called it and even if I believe he was wrong at least I can see why he might have given that. But been told walk away from the ref just says to me that he doesn't know himself why hes blown it or that he has serious doubt in his decision and doesn't want to look like a fool. Perfect example was this past weekend in Wexford junior hurling championship where the referee dished out a black card to a player even though black cards are not sanctioned in club hurling. Even when protested to the ref he stuck to his guns about it. I think mic'd up referees can be a positive thing. I remember watching something on rte where it showed a behind the scenes view of all Ireland final day and the ref was micd up and hearing him explain to players what the foul was or telling them to cop on to themselves as a viewer gives at least some level of understanding for their decision. It obviously won't stop all the controversy or abuse to refs as people will be biased to their own teams but i think it could stop it even a little bit and overtime little by little bring the abuse down. On your point about time to explain the decision it doesn't need to be a thesis on why the foul was awarded just you committed this infringement by doing x y or z. 9 times out of 10 the fouls that people give out about are within free scoring range so there is time to explain while the free taker is coming out and setting up for the free. At least if could hear the ref saying I gave this decision for this reason we wouldn't have to hear like of Michael Duignan giving his opinion on why or why not the ref gave the free" Or when the overwhelming majority of players talk to the ref is complaints/abuse when people do ask nicely/respectfully they dont respond because they expect abuse when players open their mouth... Refs at lower levels dont get enough or the right supports to develop so that needs to change to help referees with their communication etc refs in every county at every level need to meet at least once a month to look at rules, game management etc KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3758 - 21/07/2023 12:49:28 2495980 Link
Replying To camánouttathat: "When playing myself there is nothing more frustrating than been blown for a free and asking the referee in a genuine respectful manner what was the free for and been told to walk away. The better referee will tell you what he seen and why he called it and even if I believe he was wrong at least I can see why he might have given that. But been told walk away from the ref just says to me that he doesn't know himself why hes blown it or that he has serious doubt in his decision and doesn't want to look like a fool. Perfect example was this past weekend in Wexford junior hurling championship where the referee dished out a black card to a player even though black cards are not sanctioned in club hurling. Even when protested to the ref he stuck to his guns about it. I think mic'd up referees can be a positive thing. I remember watching something on rte where it showed a behind the scenes view of all Ireland final day and the ref was micd up and hearing him explain to players what the foul was or telling them to cop on to themselves as a viewer gives at least some level of understanding for their decision. It obviously won't stop all the controversy or abuse to refs as people will be biased to their own teams but i think it could stop it even a little bit and overtime little by little bring the abuse down. On your point about time to explain the decision it doesn't need to be a thesis on why the foul was awarded just you committed this infringement by doing x y or z. 9 times out of 10 the fouls that people give out about are within free scoring range so there is time to explain while the free taker is coming out and setting up for the free. At least if could hear the ref saying I gave this decision for this reason we wouldn't have to hear like of Michael Duignan giving his opinion on why or why not the ref gave the free" While there is a place in the game for players to have a conversation with the referee, that should be carefully thought out as to where and when it is. In your example of a fee - the refs job is not done just because he blows the whistle, if he is talking to a player he is not watching what else is going on in the field, 9 times out of 10 the player taking the free will always try and bring it forward, the defenders get too close to the player taking the free or try to interfere with the free taker - so do they stop the game entirely add on time as it would become a time wasting tactic? As I said people love it in rugby but the referee, calls time off and nothing else is happening so he can have those conversations. There are refs who just do not know the rules and refuse to acknowledge their mistakes - the black card is a prime example of that however that also shows that the GAA do not help refs either - why have one rule for inter county and another for club. Strangely enough the biggest issue at times is the advantage rule because when the whistle is blown, nobody associates that whistle with the initial foul and when they realise it the players can never remember it anyway. I think the question should be first, should refs be recording their games for the purposes of identification of players and sideline personnel who abuse them. There is so much of turn back the clock that's needed in the attitude of players and supporters first. zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1963 - 21/07/2023 18:15:25 2496030 Link
I'd like to see it in the big games, if the refs are up for it themselves. They have them in almost every other sport with the notable exception of soccer. Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1558 - 21/07/2023 18:27:16 2496032 Link