Navan Black Card seminar a success
Some 46 Meath referees attended at Aras Tailteann in Navan tonight where Croke Park official Bernard Smith, top inter-county referee and Blackhall Gaels clubman David Coldrick and Meath referees' co-ordinator Donal Smyth presented what could be titled the Black Card Seminar.
With the black card due to be introduced across the board in football from 1st January next there will be some extra pressure on referees to familiarise themselves with the application of the rule.
There will now be three cards in use during a game, red, yellow and black. The addition of the black card means that where one is issued the recipient (the player who receives the black card) is sent-off but may be replaced by a substitute. This applies for three straight black cards in a game.
Speaking to the Meath Chronicle this evening at Aras Tailteann, David Coldrick said he was pleased with the number of referees who turned up and particularly with their enthusiasm.
“We went through a lot of video clips to show examples from games of deliberate and accidental fouls, that was well received by the referees.
“There were lots of questions in relation to the advantage rule and its application, everyone took an active part in the meeting.
“The rules on this are fairly black and white, if I can put it like that, but there will be a judgement call by the referee on whether a foul is deliberate or accidental.
'What we were trying to achieve tonight with the video clips was where we would identify deliberate and accidental fouls, but when the referees go out next January they will have to make those calls in an instant.
“There will be a bedding in period for the first month or two, but once everyone - referees, players, officials, supporters - get used to it, then it will be just business as usual.
“The aim is to eliminate the cynical play, the rugby-style tackle, the deliberate body check and the deliberate trip.
“With this new rule it will be quite clear for everyone and I think we will see less of those type of fouls in the game.
“I was pleased with the turnout tonight, but any referee who wants to officiate next year must complete one of these courses.
“I've been to Louth, I will be in Longford next week, it's going well so far and I'm sure the referees will be ready for next January,” he concluded.
OTHER PHOTOS
The DVD that each referee received a copy of.
Local referee Jason Smyth issues a black card to the media - there was no substitute togged out on this occasion.
Conall Collier