Colin Healy: 'The referees are killing us'

Ronan MacNamara reports from Dalymount Park

Cork City manager Colin Healy became the latest manager to weigh in with a scathing assessment of the standard of League of Ireland refereeing after his side were thumped 5-0 by Bohemians on Monday.

A splurge of second half strikes from Adam McDonnell, Ali Coote (twice) and James McManus took the game away from Cork after Jordan Flores had given Bohs the lead from a free kick just after the half hour.

An Ally Gilchrist red card paved the way for Flores to open the scoring after he tangled with Bohemians striker Jonathan Afolabi.

And speaking in the wake of his side’s fourth successive Premier Division defeat at Dalymount Park, the former Ireland international feels the Leesiders aren’t getting the rub of the green.

“It’s not the sending off, it’s the one before it,” said the former Sunderland midfielder.

“We were in on goal and the referee blows up. It’s a disgrace. We had it last week against Shelbourne when we should have had a penalty. We’re getting nothing up here.

“OK, they’re saying Ally kicked out for the sending off. It’s hard enough to play against Bohs with 11, never mind 10.

“Yes we got beaten 5-0. We tried to go for it in the last 20 minutes and they picked us off. That’s fine but the referees are f****** killing us. Can you not see that?

“I think the red card was a bit harsh. The lino on our side gave it which is a fair distance but the lino on the other side didn’t see it.”

Shelbourne manager Damien Duff hit out at the standards of League of Ireland refereeing after Paddy Barrett was sent off against Derry City.

And Healy mirrored his fellow former Irish international in saying the officials aren’t progressing with the rest of the league.

“Look at Damien Duff a few weeks ago speaking about the league. It’s going upwards with the crowds but the other way with the referees. The standard in the First Division is bad too.

“It’s a harsh decision. We had an incident at Turner’s Cross between Aaron Bolger and Adam O’Reilly. He gave him an elbow but up here you get nothing.

“I understand that our performances have to be better but we’re getting nothing whatsoever.

“I don’t know if it’s something to do with me or the players but it’s crazy. I’ll get into trouble for these interviews but I’m sick of it.”

“Nothing goes our way. We’re in the League of Ireland and want things to be better.”