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16th October 2023
03:48pm BST
Faloon took charge of Galway and Mayo's All-Ireland senior football clash earlier this year.[/caption]
11 December 2022; Eugene Branagan of Kilcoo in action against Conor Convery of Glen during the AIB Ulster GAA Football Senior Club Championship Final match between Glen Watty Graham's of Derry and Kilcoo of Down at the Athletics Grounds in Armagh. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile[/caption]
“The DRA claim was heard on Saturday morning and the case put forward by Kilcoo was rejected. This was an entirely satisfactory ruling as it allowed the referee appointment to stand, and we communicated it to Paul.
“We were steadfast in our support of the appointment of Paul Faloon. Not even the notion of postponement would deter us from the clear opinion that everyone should respect his appointment.
“However, in the course of Saturday late morning and afternoon, matters transpired that became increasingly difficult for us to resolve. We were left with the prospect that there may be no referee for the fixture, and as a result, had no option but to appoint an alternative official to referee the game.
“Having deemed it unfair in these circumstances to ask another internal referee to take charge of the fixture, we then asked David Gough and he accepted. At 11.30am on Sunday, David advised us that he would be withdrawing, and we respected his decision. Brian Higgins then accepted the appointment as referee.
“Whilst the final took place and we are very grateful to all of yesterday's match officials, this was an extremely frustrating episode. As an Association, we are constantly hearing and stating about the need to respect our match officials.
“The appointment of Paul Faloon should have been respected and it is disappointing that this was challenged in the way that it was. There should be no right of appeal against the appointment of a referee. We will examine this episode and consider what needs to be put in place to ensure that this never happens again.”
In a statement on Sunday night, Faloon’s club Drumragh said that they were 'disappointed' in the turn of events that led to the game being taken away from their member.
“The committee and members of Drumgath GAC are extremely disappointed in the turn of events that led to our club referee, Paul Faloon, not officiating the Down GAA Morgan Fuels Senior Football Championship final today.
“We are very proud to have Paul represent our club on a national basis, he is one of the most highly regarded officials in the country and should be recognised and protected within our own county.”
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