Referee Gerry Carmody

Galway dispute Connaught final match referee

THE Galway senior ladies football management has expressed its dismay and disappointment at the appointment by Connacht LGFA of former Mayo minor ladies football manager Gerry Carmody as referee for their Connaught senior final clash with Mayo at MacHale Park, Castlebar, this Sunday, despite their objection to Carmody.

In a statement, Galway manager Stephen Glennon said: “The decision by Connacht LGFA to dismiss Galway’s objection, we believe, calls not only the integrity of this year's Connacht final into question but also that of an administration which has shown a blatant disregard for Galway ladies football with this appointment and, indeed, the spirit of the game of ladies’ football.

We would consequently call on LGFA and Croke Park to investigate this matter thoroughly, determining as to how such an appointment could be made, and take swift and appropriate action.

This is the fifth consecutive year Galway must travel to MacHale Park for the provincial decider and the appointment of Mr. Carmody, who has mentored a number of the current Mayo senior players as Mayo minor boss between 2012 - 2013, is a gross error of judgement by Connacht LGFA.

The Galway Ladies Board has informed us this morning that the appointment stands on two grounds – both of which we would dispute.

The first is that Mr. Carmody changed his designation two years ago – which is irrelevant given his close association to Mayo. However, it is also untrue as the LGFA national website featured Mr. Carmody in a profile as ‘Mayo Referee’ in September 2016, which is less than two years ago.

Secondly, Connacht LGFA assert that Mr. Carmody is the most qualified referee in Connacht. This may be the case but, in light of his previous history with Mayo, this doesn’t align with the spirit of the game.

We are disappointed that we have to do so and that we have to deal with this disruption in the week leading into the final. However, we would hope that by bringing this matter to light in the public domain that this decision would be reversed.”