Meath referee Cormac Reilly has received a torrent of criticism, both online and in the mainstream media, for his handling of Saturday evening's unforgettable game in Limerick.
Former Mayo players Kevin McStay and David Brady described his performance as 'appalling' and 'disgraceful' respectively while influential Sunday Business Post columnist Ewan MacKenna characterised his display as 'pathetic.'
Brilliant by Kerry and an incredible effort from Mayo but none of that should take away from the performance of Cormac Reilly. Pathetic.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) August 30, 2014
Nobody at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday was in any doubt that Cormac Reilly had a shocker. Kevin McStay's analysis really brought it home.
— Pat Nolan (@pat_nolan) August 31, 2014
Most damningly of all, ex-inter county referee John Bannon, who handled the 1998 and 2002 All-Ireland finals, was scathing in his assessment of Reilly's handling of the match, outlining a host of errors in the Irish Examiner on Monday.
By contrast, Eugene McGee in the Irish Independent praised Reilly for allowing the game to flow and creating the conditions for a classic.
Unlike Martin Sludden, who was defended vigorously after being attacked after the 2010 Leinster Final, Reilly has attracted little sympathy, with some Mayo supporters being particularly unrestrained in their condemnation.
At last, Reilly has found someone willing to stand up for him. His defenders arrive in the unsurprising shape of the Meath county board.
Meath PRO, Martin O'Halloran used this week's meeting of the Meath county board to respond to Kevin McStay's criticisms on Sunday evening.
Cormac had over 100 decisions to make over the course of the game. When the rules are changed to allow referees to view slow motion replays then I will accept Mr McStay's criticism.
They are sending a letter to Croke Park requesting that the GAA defend and protect officials and take strong action against those who encroach onto the playing field.
Meath county board will always have a responsibility to people to protect our people who volunteer their time, week in, week out... Cormac Reilly is a very decent man. He refereed the game as he does any other game to the best of his ability.
O'Halloran says he has spoken to Reilly since the events of last Saturday but he doesn't want to divulge what was said.
With regard to McStay, O'Halloran suggested, 'maybe he had another agenda.'
