The return to action of controversial Leinster final referee Martin Sludden has not gone down too well in the Wee County with an official hitting out at the Ulster Council for appointing him to handle a provincial club game.

The Tyrone referee was back in the limelight for the first time since Louth lost out in controversial circumstance to neighbours Meath in the Leinster final. The decision to let Joe Sheridan's injury time winning goal stand after the Meath man carried the ball across the line still infuriates many in the Wee County.

Sludden admitted his error in the days following the game but there has been little forgiveness given the tone of Monday night board meeting in Louth.

'A pure joke' is how Roche Emmets delegate Brian McCoy described the return to intercounty action of the Leinster final referee reported LMFM Radio. The subject came up as county board chairman Padraic O'Connor's spoke about plans to regulate umpires in the future.

However, improving the standard of umpires didn't please O'Connor's audience as it was pointed out to him in no uncertain terms that it was not the umpires who cost Louth the Leinster final but rather the decision of the referee who decided not to consult with them.

Criticism on the evening did not end with matters relating to Sludden, as the International Rules Series came in for a bashing.

O'Connor was critical of the IRS and claimed it added nothing to the concept of Gaelic football. Additionally, the decision of Anthony Tohill and his management team not to give All Star Paddy Keenan more time on the field of play also evoked the ire of the chairman. Tweet

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