The black cards has been a bone of contention for players and managers. But a couple of months since its implementation, what do referees make of it - seeing as they are the ones who have to show them to players?

We spoke to the GAA's referees chief Pat McEnaney.

"We're quite happy with the way it's going. It's settled in as we expected. No matter what organisation or work environment you bring change into, people always look to reject it. I think the association has a history of getting it right. I was pretty confident that it'd work well," he said.

McEnaney also believes referees will have little problem distinguishing between a cynical tackle and an honest challenge.

He also believes that the black card rule which actually improve the standard of tackling in Gaelic football.

The former inter-county referee also added that he is open to talking to managers about the issue.

The lads also asked McEnaney about the role of the referee assessor who sits in the stands.

"Well, it's a mentor. We've changed the whole thinking round that since I came in as chairman. I'm quite outspoken about this. Any referee that goes in to referee a match to an assessor in the stand, then I don't want him. I've told both the football and hurling referees that. They've taken that on board. I want them refereeing the match. Any referee who says he's made a decision because of an assessor or mentor in the stands is chickening out as far as I'm concerned." 

There has also been a recent debate about hurling being over-policed and McEnaney was surprised by that, citing the quality of last season's league and Championship and that there have been no rule changes to hurling.

He also does not agree with Eddie Keher's proposal that yellow and red cards should be abolished.

  

Image: Aidan O'Mahony of Kerry is shown a black card in the closing stages of the McGrath Cup final ©INPHO/Donall Farmer