Lack of GAA referees is reaching ‘crisis point’

Concerns raised over abuse and falling numbers

KERRY’S leading Gaelic games referee tutor has said the county is heading into a “crisis” with regard to the decreasing number of existing referees and the lack of new ones coming on board.

Addressing club delegates at Monday’s annual Convention, tutor Maurice O’Sullivan, and Pat Sheehy, administrator of the Referees Committee, outlined the gravity of the situation with regard to the scarcity of match referees and the reasons why less and less people are coming forward to qualify as referees.

“Let’s be honest, we’re heading in a crisis direction,” Mr O’Sullivan told delegates. “The age profile of the referees we have is obviously increasing and also the number of people staying on as referees is decreasing. A number of years ago we had ten more referees than we have today yet we have many more games today. We have games seven days a week and now with floodlights maybe even seven nights a week we have matches.”

Mr Sheehy highlighted the fact that of the 58 football clubs that took part in this year’s county championships only 32 have an active referee at senior level, while only seven of the 16 registered hurling clubs have an active referee for senior grade matches.

He said that one of the main reasons for the fall off in referees and the difficulty in recruiting new ones is the abuse they get from team mentors, parents of young players and from supporters.

“One of the reasons for fall off is abuse by some mentors - and I stress some some parents and supporters. Only the clubs can sort that out. Ye can start with the first one, abuse by mentors. If some fellas is acting the maggot and roaring abuse cut it out because if there’s fines and sanctions it’s the club that’s going to suffer. So get rid of them, one way or the other. It has to stop, otherwise we will have no referees.”

County Board secretary Peter Twiss also addressed the issue in his annual report.

“A more pressing concern is the lack of respect within the Association for those who give of the their time voluntarily, be they referees, stewards, officials or whoever. The problem has become endemic and appears at all levels from juvenile to senior games, involving supporters, parents, players and team mentors.

“If left go unchecked, it will do more damage to our games than problems with fixtures ever will.” >> see inside for more from Convention