Mayo Soccer News 26 March 1997

Stir over 'Are You Blind, Referee' suggestion

The secretary of Ballyheane F.C. caused a stir at the annual general meeting of the Mayo League when he recommended the introduction of a 'Are Your Blind, Referee' table along the same lines as carried in a number of the English tabloid newspapers.

Walter Tuffy said the league should bring in the idea to keep a check on the standard of refereeing in the county. However Pat Quigley, president, F.A.I., described the proposal as 'an insult' to referees in Mayo.

"We will have no referees if we go down that road," he said. Brendan Gibbons, Mayo Referees Inspector, said he was not impressed either by the suggestion.

He said clubs would be better served to improve discipline within their own ranks before attempting to point fingers at referees.

The suggestion was withdrawn by the Ballyheane official on the recommendation of the chairman, Donal Benson.

Going for goals

The Mayo League will be going for goals next season. Clubs ringing in their results to the league's answering machine on a Sunday evening must include the names of their goalscorers.

The move is designed to make the running of the league even more professional.

It will also facilitate the introduction of a 'Golden Boot Award' in all of the league's four divisions.

Ladies League plan

A move is being made to start a Ladies League in Mayo following the adoption of a motion at the annual general meeting submitted by Ballyglass F.C.

Brendan Coyle, a newly elected member of the league's management committee, has been appointed to investigate the possibility.

The Ballyvary-based official has already contacted the Ladies F.A.I. representation, Pat Duffy of Westport , about the matter.

Clubs interested in entering a team should contact Brendan Coyle at 094-31494 immediately.

Over-35s League mooted

The Mayo League has agreed to the introduction of an Over-35s League. . . provided enough of clubs are interested.

Ballyglass F.C. put forward the recommendation at the annual general meeting.

Now two league officers, Donal Benson and Michael Fox, are to gauge the interest of clubs in the idea.

Fixtures committee appointed

A three-man committee has been appointed by the Mayo League to look after fixtures next season.

It will be headed by Tom Kelly, the league's vice-chairman. He will be assisted by John Durkan, league secretary, and Brendan Gibbons, referees inspector.

Monitoring B teams

A new 'watchdog' committee has been put in place by the Mayo League to monitor B teams. It will consist of John McNicholas, Michael Fox, and Ivan Carroll.

Joe Butler and Ivan Carroll are the Rules Revision co-ordinators.

Donal's final season

Donal Benson, Swinford, is back in the hot seat of the Mayo League for one more season.

He was re-elected chairman of the authority at the annual general meeting. The other officers installed were, vice-chairman, Tom Kelly, secretary, John Durkan, treasurer, Michael Lavin, registrar, Pat Quigley, public relations officers, Tom Kelly, disciplinary and coaching secretary, Tom Kelly.

Other appointments made at the meeting were as follows:

FAI Junior Council rep: Donal Benson.
Connaught F.A. reps: Donal Benson, Pat Quigley, John Durkan and Henry Downes.
Junior team liaison officer: Tom McDaniel.
Milebush finals so-ordinators: John McNicholas and Brendan Coyle.
FAS Scheme Committee: T. Kelly and J. Durkan.
League Tables Compiler: Tom McDaniel.
Golden Boot Co-ordinators: J. Durkan and T. Kelly.
Milebush Development Committee: Joe Butler, D. Benson, M. Lavin, I. Carroll, H. Downes.
Dinner Dance Committee: J. Durkan and T. Kelly.
Insurance Committee: M. Fox and J. McNicholas.
Milebush treasurer: J. Butler.

Restriction on underage players

Clubs in the Mayo League are in favour of a proposal to restrict players under-16 from playing at junior level.

However, clubs in the county's Schoolboys & Youths League don't want players under-18 playing at either junior or senior level on the recommendation of Castlebar Celtic.