Plans for marathon are a runner

IT looks as though Irish referees are going to have a bigger impact than usually on ConnachtÕs Magners league campaign. After a performance that must rank as one of their best on their travels in nearly three years, the westerners came away with nothing thanks in no small part to a crucial call by referee Peter Fitzgibbon.Connacht trailed by one point and were already down to 14 men with Ofisa Treviranus in the bin when the official yellow carded John Fogarty for dissent following a pivotal and baffling decision. Down to 13 men for seven minutes, the visitorsÕ brave effort dissipated and Cardiff pulled clear with 17 unanswered points.The incident in question saw ConnachtÕs hooker come through the gate of the ruck and tackle the scrum-half who had possession of the ball. The penalty was baffling even more so when he subsequently signalled it for hands in ruck. A full time referees job is difficult, we know that. Human error is always a possibility, we know that. Player dissent must be punished to keep the integrity of the game intact. Fair enough, but just once in a while wouldnÕt it be reassuring the see a debatable call go ConnachtÕs way.The bigger issue is anÉ.