GAA:Wexford goalkeeper Anthony Masterson intends to apologise for his sharply critical remarks about Longford referee Derek Fahy after the controversial defeat by Limerick in the All-Ireland qualifiers two weeks ago. Faced with the likelihood of an eight-week suspension, Masterson will comply with the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee order that he issue a written apology.
Speaking to The Irish Timesthe former All Star nominee confirmed his compliance. "What was said was in the heat of the moment and after a great disappointment. I haven't sent in the letter of apology yet but will be doing so over the next few days."
He added that he didn’t want to comment any further on the matter at this stage.
Masterson’s comments were made in an interview with RTE when he said of the match official who allowed the controversial late point that enabled Limerick to beat Wexford:
“It looked like it was a yard wide,” he said at the time. “It’s just mind-baffling. We’ve given up so much of our life and a decision like that cost us the game. Granted, we let them back in the game, that shouldn’t have happened, but when games come down to things like that, like, you give up so much time of your life and you train so much and you give up everything — your social life, you miss your family, the whole thing.
“And a decision like that, it costs you your Championship. We had a chance of a replay [and] going into an All-Ireland quarter-final . . . It’s typical of the GAA: Wexford and Limerick stuck away into Portlaoise, given a bad referee . . .”
In the past the GAA has been reticent about pursuing players for critical comments about referees but Masterson’s reaction, of which the above is a mild extract, was considered a bridge too far.
The GAA is also making a distinction between remarks made in post-match interviews and those that emerge on social networking sites, such as Twitter. The former are seen as part of the match event and made by players whereas the latter are deemed more personal and seen as the opinions of private individuals.