In a lively AGM last week, Association Secretary Neil Jardine reviewed arrangements for this year’s Reihill competition. The final between Enniskillen Town Reserves and Dergview Reserves ended in a goalless draw; but the Association was critical of the performance of the referee and his two assistants and asked for them to be replaced for the replay.

    Mr. Jardine told the AGM: “The performance of the match officials, in the opinion of teams and Association officials present, was not of an acceptable standard for a final tie.”

    He went on: “However, the reaction of the Referee’s Association was even more surprising. The threat of withdrawal of labour and refusal of any other official to take charge of the Reihill final replay unless the original three were re-instated, was reminiscent of a primary school yard scene.

    “To add to this, the Mulhern match officials were on the point of pulling out of the match right up to kick-off and then deliberately snubbed Mr. Jim Boyce (IFA president) by not coming into the committee room after the game for a drink.

    “It is time the Referee’s Association, and those leading them realised that everybody is accountable in this day and aged, and that nobody, be they player, administrator or referee is above criticism,” said Mr. Jardine.

    During a discussion on the matter later, Enniskillen Town delegate Damian Love insisted that his club had not made any complaint about the Reihill final officials. He also disagreed with the Association secretary over proposed changes for the Reihill Cup, which would involve removing the holders’ privilege of getting a bye into the second round. This rule change would also apply to the Mulhern Cup, which co-incidentally Enniskillen Town also hold.

    Damian Love claimed the rule changes were deliberate because Town were being hit.

    But Neil Jardine replied: “No way, I first talked about this in February/March.”

    The vote on the rule change at the meeting ended in a tie, 11-11, but was passed on the casting vote of the chairman, Mr. Enda Love.

    For the first time in four seasons, last year’s semi-final and final ties were played on the dates set at the start of the season, despite severe disruption through the early rounds in January and February.

    As a result, this season’s competitions will be structured differently. The first round will be played in mid-October and the second in November, The competition will then break until mid March thus avoiding the most difficult weather and possible clashes with Junior cup games.

    The secretary explained “All clubs that enter go into the first round, for example next season’s 35 teams can enter so there would be 17 games and one bye, and in later rounds clubs would receive byes to get down to correct numbers.”

    The Reihill Cup sponsor, Willie Ramblers were thanked for their support.

    The officials also thanked the new sponsors of the Mulhern Cup, the Impartial Reporter, and Neil Jardine also gave a report of last season’s competition.

    Thirty-three teams entered this years Mulhern Cup with few upsets and this resulted in a Division One semi-final line-up. Enniskillen Town United belied their lowly league position to defeat Dergview and were joined in the final by Lisnaskea Rovers, who required a last minute winner to overcome Killen Rangers.

    Enniskillen Town United defeated a disorganised Lisnaskea Rovers outfit with a fine goal from Raymond Gallagher. Although the overall quality of football was slightly lacking, the game was played in an excellent sporting manner. The gloss was somewhat removed from Enniskillen Town’s victory when it was discovered the following week that the Mulhern Cup had sustained quite serious damage. The trophy has now been repaired, but the Association will have to consider its action, as the Cup is its most treasured and valuable asset, Mr Jardine explained.

    However, he again came in for criticism from Damian Love, who said the Association secretary should not have gone to the press about the damage to the cup.

    The secretary’s report gave an account of the Lowry-Corry Cup which started in August and wasn’t completed until 29th May with Lisnaskea Rovers Youth winning on penalties against Enniskillen Town United Youth on penalties after a scoreless draw a Drumad Lisbellaw.

    Mr Jardine said the busiest member of the Association, as ever, had been disciplinary secretary Sammy McFredrick. “As things stand, he will soon need a delivery van to transport all his files to meetings, such is the volume of cautions and dismissals currently being processed each season. Once again, Sammy’s attention to detail and guideline laid down have made the workings of the disciplinary committee run very smoothly,” said Neil Jardine.

    “Finally, I would like to express the thanks of the Management Committee to Ballinamallard United, Lisbellaw United and the Bawancre Centre for the continued use of their facilities throughout the season, and to all the fellow Office Bearers for their assistance when asked,” he said.

    The association had as a special guest David Martin the treasurer of the IFA. He spoke of the local success in the Junior Cup, but felt there was a lack of intermediate football in the area

     He also paid tribute to Billy McElroy and Roy Cathcart two men who have had the honour of being chairman of the Junior committee over the past few decades;he was also glad to see familiar faces such as George Henderson, Derek Bowles and Sammy McFredrick also of course Enda Love.

    He said it was good to see debate at the meeting and congratulated the chairman on his handling of the meeting and on his service to the IFA.