New ref administrator to address situation

THE AGB GAA Club decided to wthdraw their motion that requested that all GAA officials take a course prior to taking positions during championship games at the recent County Board meeting in Ballinakill.

The motion stated: ‘All match officials for championship games must take official course prior to be appointed’.

AGB’s John Murphy spoke on the first motion of the night which was trying to address the problem of a lack of officials for championship games. The AGB club man said that his club had played in several championship games during 2017 where no umpires had been present and that for two Senior championship games there were no official linesmen.

“We had plenty of matches last year where there were no official umpires for championship matches, and that was from Junior up to Senior. We had some championship matches last year where we didn’t even have linesmen at, for Senior. We had two Senior matches last year where we didn’t have linesmen at. I think that’s where there was an issue. I’d say we can pull that motion,” said John Murphy.

“I think the whole emphasis is that there’s no umpires being appointed for championship matches. League matches fair enough, that’s different, but throwing a person from each club for a championship match doesn’t work; the referee doesn’t want to listen to them, so what’s the point of having two guys at each end?” he asked.

County Chairman Martin Fitzgerald told John Murphy that there is a course (for match officials) every year and that the new referee’s administrator would be spending time trying to get umpires to do the course.

AGB withdrew the motion. January

Third and fourth class indoor boys’ football - Indoor football tournament for boys in third and fouth class (The emphasis in this competition is on participation and sport for all, seven-a-side).

This blitz will take place on Friday, January 19, and Friday, February 2, in Shoreline, Greystones. Please contact Gary McGillycuddy, Oifigeach Peile, to indicate which day suits your school and how many teams will attend from your school. When Gary receives this information he will confirm times once the number of teams are known.

O’Kelly Cup - Indoor Girls Football - This is an indoor football tournament for girls in third and Camogie Participation Blitz Wednesday, February 7: Outdoor camogie blitz in Ballinakill at 11.45 a.m. (The emphasis in this competition is on participation and sport for all – No age limit, nine-aside). Full rules.

Boys’ Football Allianz Coughlan Cup Day 1, February 28, March1 at Bray Emmets.

Eleven-a-side and no age limit at 11.45 a.m. (Teams will be graded on this day).

Your school will be contacted regarding which day you will be attending. Points only, no goalkeeper.

March

Girls’ Wicklow Times Shield