Criticism of Johnny Murphy is Unfounded & Unfair

When Limerick’s premier referee Johnny Murphy was appointed as the man in the middle for last Saturday’s All-Ireland quarter-final between Tipperary and Galway, there was little made of the appointment for the Gaelic Grounds clash.

As things played out, Galway came away with a one-point victory to set up a clash with Limerick in the All-Ireland semi-final this weeekend.

In the aftermath of the game, Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy, criticised the decision to appoint Murphy with the winner likely to face Limerick in the last four.

“There are loads of referees from various different counties and I just think there was no need to have the situation we had today.

“It should have been a Leinster referee in my view but I have no complaints.

“Ultimately, the best team with the most scores at the end of the match won but a small bit of common sense in the approach to appointments, like there are loads of referees from Leinster and everywhere else.

“I do think a little bit of understanding and not trying to compromise people and put them in positions where various counties are still left in the championship it just makes things a little bit trickier.”

On last night’s ‘Sunday Game’, Donal Og Cusack also questioned the appointment as he said, “I’m surprised the GAA appointed a Limerick referee with Limerick in the semi-final”.

Certainly, the sending off of Cathal Barrett would have angered the Tipp contingent and many would argue the first yellow giving to Barrett was soft.

While you could argue the toss on the first yellow card, it was given and that was the end of it. You could also argue that an All-Star corner-back should have known better than his showing for the second yellow card.

There certainly was no malice in the challenge but Barrett gave Murphy no option but to brandish the second yellow and subsequently the red after reckless use of the hurl on Brian Concannon.

In his Examiner column, retired referee Brian Gavin praised the performance of Murphy saying, “Johnny had a good game and seems to be getting more of a feel for the inter-county game.”

Former Hurler of the Year, Eoin Larkin, also challenged the ethics of Sheedy in questioning the appointment.

Furthermore, there was little reference to the fact that Tipperary native Fergal Horgan took charge of the Munster quarter-final between Limerick and Clare with the winners to face Tipp in the semi-finals.

Pundits will be the first to callout inconsistencies in referees but you’d have to ask why the same consistency is not required of pundits. Was the integrity of Fergal Horgan being questioned in the aftermath of Limerick v Clare game? No it wasn’t and rightly so. So why a different approach towards Johnny Murphy?

Overall, Murphy had a good showing the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday and despite protests from elsewhere, it will certainly have enhanced his reputation within GAA quarters.

It should also be noted that Limerick had to take the missed 65 in last year’s semi final against Kilkenny on the chin. The post match narrative in that incidence was around extra assistance for officials in getting close calls right.

And unlike Donal Og Cusack on the Sunday Game there were no calls for referee to explain his decision. It was a mistake, one Limerick have had to get over and move on.

Same goes for Kilkenny and Richie Hogan’s red card in last year’s final. Whether you agree or disagree, it happened and Kilkenny too, had to get over it.

If Limerick are good enough to get past a massive Galway Challenge, Murphy’s shot at an All Ireland Final will have to wait a while longer but questioning his integrity over the weekend was uncalled for and wrong.