Former Mayo manager and member of the Football Review Committee James Horan has hit out at David Gough over his comments on RTÉ Radio at the weekend.
The Meath man had taken aim at the Football Review Committee on the grounds of a lack of consultation with referees over the new rules, adding that too many are coming in at once. He also criticised the 'language and lack of clarity' surrounding how the new rules are written, describing it as 'shocking.'
Speaking to RTÉ, Gough revealed that between him and his colleague David Coldrick, they raised issues regarding the new rules.
"Both of us were very strong in our opinion that a number of review committees have brought in rules and the game more difficult for us to referee," he said.
Speaking on the Irish Examiner GAA podcast, Horan described Gough's interview as 'bizarre,' claiming the opposite, that the FRC have been very open with their new set of rules.
"We have been all over everything for months," he said.
10 October 2024; The GAA Football Review Committee members, back row, from left, James Horan, Michael Meaney, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Patrick Doherty, Shane Flanagan, Malachy O'Rourke and Alec McQuillan, front row, from left, Colm Nally, Michael Murphy, Colm Collins, chairperson Jim Gavin, and Seamus Kenny after a briefing of the GAA Football Review Committee at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
The Ballintubber native questioned why Gough went on national radio to air his grievances rather than 'picking up the phone if he felt so strongly.'
He also pointed to the fact that reviews took place with referees after the FRC's seven sandbox games, with the inter-provincial trials also played with the purpose of acquiring feedback and acting on it.
“I wasn’t sure from listening to (Gough's intervews) it what the key message David was trying to get across was. What was the aim of the interview?
“One of the key things that David said was the lack of engagement with referees. Whatever you say about the new enhancements or the FRC, you can’t say there has been a lack of engagement. We have been all over everything for months," Horan said.
"I just took a little exception to that."
“David said he couldn’t get to some of the meetings because he is sick," Horgan added.
He says the FRC have an 'open-door' policy, asking why Gough went on national radio rather than getting directly in touch with the FRC.
"I find it bizarre that he went on national, live radio. Why didn’t he pick up the phone and give us a call if he feels so strongly? We have an open door policy.”
The new rules will go before a special congress on November 30 with whatever gets through set for trial period, across club and county, in 2025.
