National referees' spokesman Fr Seamus Gardiner has hit out at Meath manager Colm Coyle for criticising referee Maurice Deegan in the wake of the Royal County's Leinster SFC defeat to Wexford. Coyle, who could be facing disciplinary action as a result of his criticism of Laois's Deegan, said there was a conflict of interest given that the winners would be playing the O'Moore County in the next round. Coyle was particularly incensed with Deegan's decision to disallow a second half 'goal' by Joe Sheridan after the Meath attacker had dispossessed Wexford 'keeper Anthony Masterson. Gardiner said: "I'd be disappointed that any comment would be made that a referee is prejudiced. "I'm not on the appointments committee but the referees are appointed four weeks in advance. "But I would argue that Maurice Deegan is one of our best referees. The main thing that Colm had a problem with was the goal by Joe Sheridan. There's no doubt that the only way he can dispossess him is a flick with the open hand. Even the lads on The Sunday Game had an argument over that - but that's the rule. "When somebody's beaten by a point or two they'll always jump on something but I wouldn't accept things thing about prejudice about a guy like Maurice Deegan. I just wouldn't." Meanwhile, Meath centre back Kevin Reilly could be facing suspension for a dangerous high tackle on a Wexford opponent during the closing stages of Sunday's game. Reilly escaped with a yellow card, but if the CCCC decide to review the incident on video, he will almost certainly be hit with a ban. Tweet

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