Back in ancient times, before the invention of Twitter and the I-pod, we picked teams and played a bit of football in the school yard at lunch time. And what these games might have lacked in basic skills and tactical awareness, they more than made up for with fierce commitment and passionate pride.
Arguments were frequent and punch-ups were the norm. Most controversy centred on whether a ball had crossed the goal line or whether it had gone wide.
We didn’t have the benefit of modern technology back then
The recent debacle at the end of the Leinster Senior Football Final between Meath and Louth has once again raised the contentious issue of whether to allow referees to make use of video replays.
Controversial decisions have always been part and parcel of sporting events. Thierry Henry’s “handball” springs immediately to mind. And what about England’s “goal” against Germany in the world cup?
An estimated 17.8 million viewers worldwide watched that game. And, within ten seconds of the ball crossing the line, people from Bangkok to Beijing, from Adelaide to Azerbaijan, from Moscow to Memphis and from Letterkenny to Lyracrompane were being treated to a slow-motion replay that confirmed that it was indeed a legitimate goal. However, the one person on the entire planet with the authority to award the goal – the referee – was kept totally in the dark.
Imagine, if he had smuggled in a mobile phone with internet access and left in running and hidden it in his shorts, he could have taken a quick peek and given the goal – and nobody would have been any the wiser!
A decision has yet to be made on whether the Leinster final will be replayed. Louth have been done a grave injustice – but a replay could set a dangerous precedent.
In the Munster Hurling Final, also played last Sunday, Cork were awarded a point against Waterford midway through the first half which subsequent TV footage showed to be a definite wide. That game ended in a draw and very little was made of the incident afterwards.
The big issue with the Leinster final was the fact that the goal was given in the closing seconds and that Louth had no opportunity of launching a counter-attack to redress the balance. The later admission by the referee that he had made a genuine mistake, only succeeded in compounding the misery for Louth.
Many sports have successfully embraced the new modern technology including tennis, rugby and cricket.
Soccer has so far resisted all attempts to allow referees to avail of video replays. However, with a multi-billion pound industry and a worldwide audience also running into billions, it is only a matter of time before the new technology is introduced.
Perhaps the moment is now ripe for the GAA to also consider its options in this respect.
Anyway, back to the school yard. And all the commotion and the arguments about whether it was a goal or a wide, inevitably attracted the ire of the headmaster who emerged like some avenging angle, confiscated the ball, administered a few deserving kicks up the backside and declared the match a draw before herding us all back into the classroom.
Like the referee, the headmaster’s word was law.

GAA
The world cup drew to a close on Sunday night with Spain beating Holland 1-0 in the final.
It was a poor world cup with many of the stars such as Rooney, Ronaldo, Messi, etc. failing to shine.
They should do away with that antiquated offside law and introduce its Gaelic equivilant – no player allowed inside the small square before the ball. It would make for a far more exciting and free-scoring game.
The GAA season is now in full swing and is proving much more entertaining than the world cup. We have had some great games, several upsets, controversy, recrimination, suspensions and, best of all, Limerick footballers are heading for the qualifiers!
The hurlers concluded their season on Saturday night when beaten by Offaly. It has been a tough year for them. Hopefully thay can now sort out their difficulties and regroup for next season.
Leinster GAA Football Senior Championship Final; Louth 1-10, Meath 1-12.
Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Final; Cork 2-15, Waterford 2-15
GOLF
WINNERS AT KANTURK GOLF CLUB SATURDAY 10th JULY SPONSORED BY GALE FOODS,LISTOWEL(LEO GEOGHEGAN) .
FREE DRAW WINNER FOR CHARLEVILLE:Jim Kelly BACK 9:Neilus Murphy 18pts. FRONT 9:Thomas O Hanlon 17pts. 18 HANDICAP:Liam McAuliffe 29pts. LADIES PRIZE:Mag Moloney 30pts. 3rd :Conor Lane 32pts. (Back 9 19pts.) 2nd :Jason Lynch 34pts. 1st :Ger Foley 37pts.
NEXT OUTING IS TO CHARLEVILLE GOLF CLUB ON SAT. 7th AUGUST.(09.15 11.00)
RUGBY
LOTTO: There was no Jackpot winner in the weekly draw, which took place on Monday night, July 12th at the Rugby Pavilion. Winning numbers were 13 – 25 – 26 – 28. This week’s Jackpot now increases to € 5,550. There were no match 3 ‘s this week. Lucky dips winners there were 5, Paul Fitzgerald, C/o The Cellar Bar Abbeyfeale, Bridget Woulfe Millfarm Abbeyfeale, Johnny Walsh Mountcollins, Pat Harnett C/o The Corner House, and Suzanne O’ Rourke C/o Eamonn Foley. The promoter’s prize goes to The Cellar Bar, Abbeyfeale. Next Draw takes place Monday night, July 19th at Jack O’Rourke’s Bar so please make sure to purchase your ticket to be in with a chance! Tickets are available from local ticket sellers and outlets. The Munster Branch is running a Summer Camp in The Rugby Club on July 26th to July 30th. All children from the age of 5 to 13 are welcome to attend. Anyone interested in participating please contact the club directly on 068 30665 or any club members for details. During the course of the week, on one of the days there will be two Munster players in attendance.
FISHING
Dee Dennison writes; “The small flood last week brought a few fish into the upper reaches of the river. A number of anglers were lucky and banked fresh salmon. Chief among them was master angler Patsy, who banked an eleven and a half pound silver fish. Gerdy and Mossy also scored and there a re reports of two more lucky anglers, but their identity is as yet unknown. At national level, SSTRAI is planning to institute a national ban on day tickets for visiting anglers due to the obstinacy of the minister in not appointing an anglers’ representative to the new IFI. Imagine a farmers’ national body without a farmer’s representative! This club will be fully supporting this move, and any other further measures adopted to get our rights at national level. Rod war number two could be on the way.”
RED CROSS
A Red Cross Novice and Cadet Exam certificate presentation will take place on Friday, July 16 followed by Disco and finger food at Matt MCoy’s Bar, Convent Street from 7pm-9pm. All participants involved in the course, competitions etc as causalities or otherwise are invited. Parents are invited to come along. All children under 18 must be collected at 9pm. First aid classes will recommence in September
CHARITY FOOTBALL MATCH
A reminder that the grand charity football match in aid of the Alzheimers Society of Ireland will be played at the Inch in Abbeyfeale on this Friday, July 16 at 7pm. It will be between the Mon-Fitz Clan and Fr. Casey’s 2000 Championships (10 years on). Hopefully, the “Bomber” Liston will attend and Michael Noonan will be throwing in the ball, his own wife having been affected by Alzheimers. All money raised from sponsorship, programme adverts and the €2 a line which are currently on sale (with €100 cash prize) will go to the Alzheimers Society. Indeed a most worthy cause. After the game there will be a barbecue at the Railway Bar followed by a disco.