After the result of the U21 A semi Final at the weekend I think it is safe to say that Glencar Manor will add a Senior League title to their haul this year. Both Melvin Gaels & Glencar manor would have 5 / 6 players from their U21 team on the senior team. This added to their fitness, confidence & desire will land them the title. Maybe it will be third time lucky for the gaels next year.

Leitrim Lad (Leitrim) - Posts: 264 - 08/12/2008 10:46:44    159083

Manor definitely to win it on sunday. Hear gaels are missing a few and the long season definitely hasn't helped.

ball girl (Leitrim) - Posts: 194 - 14/12/2008 00:12:17    163832

I attended the league final today and came away happy that I did. I must say that Melvin gaels were the better team on the day. Manorhamilton fought back well. I have to comment on the referee.Being from south leitrim myself and having no alligencies to either club the referee was very poor in my opinion.He played over 6 minutes extra time after the MC had informed the public that there would be 2 minutes. In this time Glencar/Manor scored two goals and left it at 2points margin for Melvin gaels. I wouldnt like to think what woul have happened if Manorhamilton had scored the final free which went wide. Would he have played for a draw. I was impressed with the Melvin Gaels forwards moved the ball well and responded well under presure scoring good goals from swift passing play. The free taker Emlyn Mulligan who I thought was my player of the year for Leitrim,converted difficult frees,and brought the other forwards into play with slick passing. There center back Mc Morrow and Sheirdan were both very good and covered alot of ground. I hope the senior management were present to see this fine display on a cold December day at Pairc Sean.

scorpio (Leitrim) - Posts: 37 - 14/12/2008 20:35:43    164072

Well done to Melvin Gaels players and selectors on a fine win. I couldn't attend the game but I believe it was a fair result and the standard of play was excellent throughout. Interesting to read the last posters comments on the referee - this is not the first time and no doubt it won't be the last that refereeing standards are brought into question in Leitrim club football. Luckily the Gaels were able to rise above it yesterday but you could understand young players getting dissillusioned if they were to end up on the losing side based on questionable refereeing decisions. Perhaps it's time referees from outside the county were brought in for championship games from the quarter final or semi final stage onwards. Anyway Gaels abú for now.

omerta (Leitrim) - Posts: 9 - 15/12/2008 14:24:14    164366

I attended the match as a neutral, and I would like to inform you that there was four minutes of ordinary time left when the announcement for extra minutes was made. I must say the referee was excellent and treated both teams equally, if anything he should have gave Emlyn Mulligan a second yellow card early on. Must say Kinlough supporters were a disgrace to themselves and their club with the abuse the shouted at referee on way in. Should be fined for this type of conduct. Adults should behave better it is a poor example to the youth.

Smokie (Leitrim) - Posts: 147 - 15/12/2008 23:59:18    165012

First of all well done to the Gaels on their fine win.

But seriously get a life. Everybody knows that Gaels in general have a problem with most referees. Doubt all the refs can be wrong all the time. A lot of very sound people from Melvin Gaels but a lot of supporters who do nothing for football but consistently roar dogs abuse at officials. Wasn't at the game but think the referee is in the top 3 in the county.

As for bringing in refs from other counties, do ye really think they would be any better. Fair enough think some refs in leitrim arnt up to the standard, but I know as a fact the standard in leitrim in general is way above our neighbouring counties.

PS Co Board is actively recruting Referees for the comming season, any takers. Not me for one, wouldnt take that abuse for any money.

fredperry (Leitrim) - Posts: 101 - 16/12/2008 10:42:13    165153

Melvin Gaels V Glencar-Manor. I attended the Senior League Final match on Sunday just gone by and was gripped by the display of both teams and how the match was officiated. I would like to refer to previous posts. Firstly I do not understand how someone who was not at the match can comment on any display of football, supporters or refereeing. By his/her own addmission (telling us they were not at the match) they have listened to impartial reports on the events of the day from people who were obviously there and favoured one side over the other. Also, speaking as someone who attended the match it is hard as a supporter to sit back and watch the poor level of official decisions being called to the advantage of one team. Speaking as a fully qualified referee, officials are supposed to be impartial and fair at all times to all players regardless of there location within the county. It states in the refereeing handbook that the ref is supposed to protect the skillful player, and example of this not happening on Sunday was the incident were a Gaels man had the ball ready to hand pass and in the same motion the opposing player pulled him from his back by his shirt. The ref gave a free to the oppisite team. And as far as I am concerned the match was by no means well refereed, and the man in charge is a long way away from being one of the top three refs in the county. I am not by any means saying that the Gaels did not commit fouls but the ratio to which frees were given was unbalanced. Obviously there is a problem with refereeing within the county as this topic has been on everyones lips for a long time. I would like to wish both teams well and commend them for their huge and passionate display of football. Next year will deffinately be exciting. . . . . . . . . . . .

xleabiax (Leitrim) - Posts: 1 - 16/12/2008 22:05:34    165835

Well done to the gaels on a fantastic victory! I have to admit that I didn't expect ye to beat Manor. I was at the game as a neutral (same as most years) and I have to agree that the football played by both teams was a joy to watch. There was superb open football played and very little dirty tackles etc. However I was shocked by the refereeing performance under which I feel both teams suffered. All fans in the stand agreed that at least 35 minutes was played in the 2nd half despite only 2 additional minutes been announced. This game was videoed by the county board. It is my opinion that maybe they should ask some of the top referees in the country to prepare a report on the standard of refereeing in this game. Its such a shame that after both teams providing such a display of footballing skill that the main talking point in the stands was the referee. Well done to both teams again!

Leitrim Lad (Leitrim) - Posts: 264 - 17/12/2008 12:50:01    166097

In reply to xleabiax & Leitrim Lad

I take it that your from melvin gaels then. Now start telling the truth never seen a Melvin gaels man down to referee any game this season. Think to claim your a fully qualified referee youd have to have refereed consistantly for say a year or so( or at least 10 games in my book) .So are you telling porkies about being a qualified Referee.

I think, as most supporters do with their team (warts & all), your looking at melvin gaels games with blue & white tinted glasses. Seen and played in several games with this referee officiating, cant remember any instances favourism. More proof if needed that ye have a problem with referees.

As for examining the video what would this acheive.

fredperry (Leitrim) - Posts: 101 - 17/12/2008 19:28:00    166605

who was that young fellow in the picture with emlyn and his father? a mascot?

charlotted (Leitrim) - Posts: 598 - 17/12/2008 20:32:40    166646

No charlotted,he is actually the reigning under 16 captain for the gaels,Emlyn is his hero he tells me.Something tells me, that ones for the trophy cabinet.

cartman.. (Leitrim) - Posts: 143 - 17/12/2008 21:37:43    166716

Wasn't at the game. Are people talking BS about the ref? If you know what I mean

panboxty (Leitrim) - Posts: 129 - 18/12/2008 12:02:09    167075

Fred perry if you take a good look at the name xleabiax it kinda gives it away. The poster in question is probably a female and is therefore a female referee. Anyway after viewing the league final again it is quite clear that the ref made a lot of strange decisions. Gaels had to work extremely hard to get frees where as james glancy and his counterparts didn't. There was also a lot of extra time played which is even mentioned in the observer. It's not just biased views and people with blue and white tinted glasses.

johnnos bulls (None) - Posts: 527 - 19/12/2008 12:41:22    168110