Former Mayo manager John Maughan has highlighted the inconsistency in Gaelic football refereeing following Dublin’s win over Kerry. But he believes the approach taking by David Gough in the All-Ireland semi-final is the correct one.
Speaking on the Irish Examiner GAA podcast, Maughan said: “Look at the contrasting styles of the referees. David Gough allowed Sunday’s game to develop and thankfully he did.
“Now, there was obviously one particularly dubious decision but otherwise he had an absolutely brilliant match contributing enormously to a fantastic game of football. However, was that a free on Peter Crowley? Absolutely, in my opinion it was 100% a free. And nobody would have complained if that game had ended in a draw.
“Now I’m sure he’ll be questioned as to why he didn’t award three black cards. I’m sure Robbie Kiely will be incensed as David seemed to have a totally different interpretation of the rules to what we witnessed in the Mayo-Tipp semi-final from David Coldrick.”
Maughan was referring to the black card handed out to the Tipperary defender by Coldrick early in Tipp’s semi-final defeat by Mayo.
While Gough raised the ire of Kerry fans for several decisions during the second semi-final, particularly a heavy late challenge by Kevin McManamon on Peter Crowley which went unpunished, Maughan was pleased he let the game flow and he hopes the final sees a similar approach.
The high number of frees Mayo have conceded was highlighted on The Sunday Game following that win over Tipp, but Vaughan puts down to refereeing inconsistency rather than indiscipline.
“On another occasion, I thought we might have 40 or 50 frees on Sunday but I felt David Gough reffed the game sensibly.
“Mayo have been very disciplined with their tackling. Donie Buckley, in particular, is credited in that regard in the last few years.
“The number of frees they have conceded has been highlighted but on other occasions those numbers could be divided by two.
“So it very much depends on which referee gets this All-Ireland final.
“David Gough is arguably the best referee at the moment from a Gaelic football perspective and I think he enhanced his reputation on Sunday.
“Mayo people will be happy provided we get a referee that refs the game as sensibly as it was on Sunday.”
