GAA maybe growing in popularity, but the attractiveness of the games is also generating its own problems - at least in the greater Dublin area. The Dublin county referee scene is becoming fraught with logistical problems, according to Eamonn Morris of the Referees' Board. There are so few young referees coming on the scene that headaches are part and parcel for fixture lists throughout the province. One of the main reasons for the decline appears to be referees' fear of abuse from players and supporters.
There are 130 active referees involved in matches from underage level right up to the intercounty scene. Of that group around 20 whistlers are unavailable at any one time because of work commitments, etc. That leaves around 110 referees to marshal 140 fixtures every weekend, leaving a shortfall of between 25-30 bodies.
"It just means some people have to do two or even three matches," says Morris. "We've not yet had to let a match go without a referee, but come April, when the clock changes and there are midweek games, we're in trouble," he says. Care for a toot. Try 8403287.
Disabled golfer Casey Martin's fight to allow the PGA Tour to let him use a motorised cart will go to trial next Monday, a federal court judge ruled this week.
US District Court Judge Thomas Coffin heard arguments last Monday in Oregon and decided to send Martin's case forward, despite the objections of the PGA which said Martin would have an unfair edge riding a course while rivals walk.
Martin, a former Stanford University teammate of Masters champion Tiger Woods (right), suffers from a circulation ailment in his lower right leg that makes walking painful and difficult. Martin sued the tour, claiming a policy prohibiting players from using golf carts during tournaments is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
PGA attorneys argued that walking is integral to the game, an idea in dispute by use of carts on the 50-and-older Senior tour. The PGA also argued that it is a private group and not obligated to obey ADA regulations. Indeed, when Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal was suffering from a serious toe ailment which prevented him from competing on the European Tour, he was not allowed to use a golf cart.
Martin failed to earn a 1998 PGA Tour card at last month's qualifying tournament, but did earn the right to play on a developmental tour run by the PGA, one that also prohibits carts. The tour allowed Martin to use a cart in two events played before the start of legal action and Martin made the most of his chance by winning a Florida event earlier this month, by a stroke, for a prize $40,500. He missed the cut in the second event.
If denied the use of a cart, Martin plans to continue playing professionally, although he says walking would limit and shorten his career.
It's a difficult one to call as golfers have already benefited from new technology in club shafts and balls. The game of tennis has been transformed because of racquet technology, while athletics shoes and new compound tracks have enabled runners to go faster. Clearly a cart will give an advantage to Martin as stamina often comes into play in golf, but if the PGA are forced to change their laws, it will not be the first time that golfers have been forced to move with the times.
Irish athletes appeared to be putting their wrong foot forward recently. At least that was the view of Scottish officials at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, last weekend. Ireland left the Scottish championships with a haul of six gold, nine silver and five bronze medals. Quite a nice haul you might think. But the team departed somewhat hassled by what many would call a serious bout of officialitus from the host nation.
Three of the Irish runners were disqualified for stepping out of lane in the 200 metres heats, including Atlanta Olympian Gary Ryan's training partner Tom Comyn. The Limerick athlete stumbled in his race and placed his foot outside the line, gaining no advantage at all as he was eight metres ahead anyway. His appeal fell on deaf ears. David Power from Leevale and Darren Hough each received the red card for similar footwork infringements.
Sprinter Lena Barry was also forced to replace her normal running shoes in the 60m sprint because the spikes were too long! All in all a good friendly games?
Iish Surfing. A success story. Brian Britten beavering away up in Drogheda, down in Rossnowlagh. Relentless. Tireless. Staggering energy. Ireland firmly on the world map. A European Championships last summer in Bundoran. Seeking a World Championships in the future. What next?
Well, two Irishmen have been chosen for Europe's team to face Africa in the first ever under-age inter-continental challenge. Brian McCauley has been chosen on the body board team, with Neil Britten (part of the dynasty) selected as a judge. Brian, naturally, is Chef de Mission. As they say - small but mighty.
The Jordanian princess Haya has moved her horses from Ireland to Paul Schockemohle's yard in Germany. Apparently it happened just before christmas. As a result, Paul Darragh, who rode a double last year on the princess's mare Scandal to seal victory in Dublin, has no horses to ride. He is out of the equation for the 1998 campaign, leaving the Irish team pretty thin on the ground with just four experienced riders for the big occasions like Dublin and the equestrian games in Rome. Just one question. Is Ireland really that badly off for horses or do we just keep selling the good ones?
