*GAA referees in Clare attended a meeting at Éire Óg’s clubhouse this week.
REFEREES in Clare have detailed a number of concerns to Clare GAA with payment of expenses top of their list.
Following a meeting of Clare GAA referees on Thursday night last, a letter outlining a number of concerns was sent to Clare GAA’s Head of Operations, Deirdre Murphy.
Payment of expenses for 2025 topped the list with claims that some had only received part payment while others had not received any payment at the time of the meeting.
Claims that referees are to withdraw their services if the payment issue isn’t resolved by this week have been denied by Clare GAA
Issues were also raised at the meeting regarding communication between the referees and the board while concerns were also raised by some referees over what they described as a lack of contact from the board with regard to what the introduction of the new playing rules in football will mean.
Last week’s meeting was held at the Éire Óg clubhouse and was attended by over twenty referees.
While there is no formal referees committee in place (e.g. chairman, secretary etc) one member pointed out to The Clare Echo that they contact each other by text when they want to discuss something.
In order for last week’s meeting to go ahead it is understood that Fergal O’Brien agreed to act as chairman on the night.
A number of referees were contacted this week with regard to the meeting. Three confirmed that they were aware of the meeting but were unable to attend on the night. One who was in attendance was strong in the view that any comment would have to come from the county board Chairman or Head of Operations while others confirmed that the issues mentioned at the outset were the main items discussed on the evening but stressed that given there isn’t a referees committee in place, it wasn’t for them to speak on behalf of the group.
Replying to a query from The Clare Echo, Head of Operations Deirdre Murphy said it was “news to me” about the prospect of referees in the county withdrawing their services. She stated, “Only last week I engaged with a representative of Clare referees to discuss feedback from a recent referees meeting. It was a progressive and frank discussion and at no point was there any indication in relation to referees withdrawing their services.
“We did discuss the payment of referee expenses for both 2024 and 2025, but I will not be making any comment on the contents of those discussions. I’m sure you are aware that Croke Park continue to engage with the Revenue Commissioners on a national level on these matters. They will update counties when there is an agreed direction of travel agreed with the Revenue Commissioners. It is fair to say that this is a matter of concern for our referees. For queries in relation to this, can you direct any such requests to Alan Milton in the GAA Communications Dept,” Murphy added.
The following statement from Clare referees was issued through the County Board, “Clare GAA referees met recently to discuss a range of matters with the 2025 season in mind. The issue of expense processing and the recent Revenue statements with respect to expenses in the GAA was discussed. Clare GAA referees were anxious to get clarity of what expense arrangements would be in place for the 2025 season but expect that this will be resolved centrally and is not a matter for Clare GAA alone. Other matters around referee development, match appointments, new rules, etc. were also discussed. Clare GAA referees expect clarity on expense processing in due course and are looking forward to the 2025 season getting up and running”.
