There is without doubt a bias from officials against Cork. In most games. Across all grades and both codes.
It's sometimes an unconscious bias, but sometimes clearly a consious bias.
When games are tight and there are big refereeing 50/50 calls, we are almost always on the wrong side of them. Big refereeing howlers, are almost always against us.
I examine the stats after every game. Almost every single game the opposition gets more frees than cork. I would say in 9 out of 10 games. And we are probably one of the least cyncical counties on the pitch, almost to a fault.
There is a never-ending narrative amongst cork fans after most games, about how the ref cost us this and that.
None of this is imagined. Its clear. 99% of Cork supporters see it clear as day.
The 1% who say otherwise, or say to ignore it, or excuse the referee, are not helping our cause at all. I actually think this is a major part of the issue. We have had players, management, officials, pundits far, far too accepting of biased refereeing against us. When in the same situation other counties make huge noise about it.
I think another reason is there is a legacy bias from some refs hanging over from our success back in the 80s.
Also, the strikes.
Also, the halo-effect that successful teams have benefited from. Ie. kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick.
But the FACTS speak for themselves. Start considering how often big refereeing fuckups cost us games, or, start looking at the free counts and card counts in the stats. It is clear.
