ALL-Ireland winner and former Limerick hurler Shane Dowling looks back on the controversial decision made by the referee in the Tipperary v Clare match last weekend.
The Na Piarsaigh man spoke about the refereeing of the game this week and argues that with the technology we have nowadays, referees should be getting more help.
He said: “The rule is not the problem, it’s the interpretation of and that’s what people have got out of it. I think the rule was right to be brought in and was it brought in for what happened in the match on Sunday, absolutely not. It was very disappointing.
“If you’re a Tipperary man you’re not complaining but I’ve been saying it for years I don’t understand why there can’t be someone upstairs on the TV that can radio back to the referee. I knew what the decision should have been and that should be radioed down to James Owens. I cannot understand with the technology we have that our referees are not getting help.
“The decision zapped the life out of Clare and now they have to pick themselves up off the floor and go again. The sooner that the referees can get that bit of help the better. There is no reason why it can’t be done. Referees are going to make mistakes but if they have that bit of help it will take that extra pressure off them and ensure that any big calls that are going to be made will be made in the right way.
Dowling thinks that the Tribesmen have an impossible task now in the All-Ireland SHC following their loss to Dublin.
“Going back to the league, I gave Dublin no chance and I thought this year was going to be a meaningless year. Credit where it’s due though and I think if the game was still on now, Dublin would still be in front. Their work rate was unbelievable, they were deserving winners.
Shane Dowling spoke exclusively to BoyleSports’ Leon Blanche.
