Referee administrator Rory Hickey. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
CLUB DELEGATES stayed mute on the decision of referees to make themselves unavailable last weekend amid reports of an ongoing dispute with Clare GAA.
Ratification of underage fixtures and isolated players, notice of a survey in relation to a strategic review plan, clubs to nominate a demographic officer and a report on the motions passed at Congress last week were items discussed at this week’s March Clare GAA county board meeting.
Scheduled games in the U17 hurling league did not proceed last weekend as referees pulled their services.
Referees recruitment:
Launching a referees recruitment drive for 2026, Clare’s referee administrator Rory Hickey told the meeting that “twenty one of the 53 clubs in Clare do not have a referee. In 2025 there were 445 adult championship games, 560 league games, 590 underage hurling games and 448 underage football games which were covered by just 45 referees. The number of games played does not include camogie, ladies football or development games”.
Appealing to clubs to source new referees, he said consideration may have to be given to putting a levy on clubs who don’t provide referees while another consideration may be to deprive those clubs of home advantage.
Continuing he said, “last year there was a referee in West Clare who handed six games in one day. That’s not sustainable”, he said before telling the delegates that he refereed seven county finals during a twenty year career while he also spent fifteen years as an inter county referee. “It’s a fantastic career”.
Éire Óg’s Hickey added, “We are in a bit of bother and we need more referees”.
Neither Rory Hickey or any delegate made reference to the decision last week by the current referees to make themselves unavailable leading to the cancellation of the opening round of fixtures in the under 17 hurling league.
It is understood that following a meeting of referee representatives and board officials on Monday night the dispute was resolved.
Congress motions:
Chairman Kieran Keating reported on the motions discussed at GAA Congress last weekend noting, in particular, the change in hurling where the ball will be moved forward 30m if there is dissent on the field. Should a player or mentor challenge the referee at half time, play will resume with the awarding of a 20m free against the offending team. This is to apply to both inter county and inter club fixtures.
Replying to a query from Cooraclare delegate P.J McGuane, chairman Keating pointed out “we give in a list of twelve officials before an inter county game which comprises myself, Anne Marie (Head of Operations) manager, three selectors, doctor”.
A proposal to have the minor finals played as a curtain raiser to the senior finals was ”well defeated”. Provincial senior football finals that end in a draw after extra time will go to a replay.
Prior to Congress, the GAA withdrew a motion looking to push back the All-Ireland finals to August amid an expected heavy defeat.
Ennistymon hurling and Tubber request to be facilitated:
At the past two county board meetings Ennistymon hurling and Tubber clubs have highlighted an issue which could see a situation where a number of their players would have to play three games inside a week, a concern they had also raised over the past two years.
To avoid this happening this yesr board chairman Kieran Keating said that when the championship draw is made they would arrange for those teams to have their bye in round 4 which should avoid such a scenario.
Championship Draws:
Board chairman Kieran Keating told this week’s meeting that it is hoped to have the championship draws for 2026 made in April.
Committees ratified:
A number of sub committees were ratified as follows.
Heath and Welll Being: John Conroy, Mark O’Sullivan, Cathy Hogan, Grainne Travers, Dominic Regan, Larry Hally and Joe O’Donnell;
Information Technology: John O’Sulivan, Liam O’Reilly, Ger Moroney, Aaron Carroll plus one more
Team management committee: Kieran Keating, Ann Marie Moran, Cathal Kilmartin, Brian Lohan, Paul Madden, David Fitzgerald, Tony Kelly, Cillian Rouine, Cillian Brennan, Martin O’Brien, Paddy Smyth.
The P.R. and Marketing committee will be appointed at the April meeting.
Franko Lillis tournament:
Cooraclare GAA was given permission to host the Franko Lillis memorial tournament on March 28.
Underage matters:
Following ratification of this season’s under 15 football competition, Anthony O’Halloran of St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield noted that “there are only six teams in this season’s under 15 hurling which will only provide five games. Why aren’t the under 14 B winners from last year included and why aren’t the under 13 B winners from two years ago not brought up”.
Bord na Og hurling secretary Pat Gavin said “there were a few appeals which clubs won. We offered clubs a facility for two extra rounds which they voted against. The under 14 B was only a secondary competition”.
Head of Operations Ann Marie Moran pointed out that “Corofin/Ruan won the under 13 B two years ago and they have gone up”.
Bulk re-grading:
Clarecastle, Whitegate and Clooney/Quin were given permission to request a bulk re-grade so that they will be able to enter another adult team.
Whitegate had submitted their list which they pointed out includes nine over 40 players, to the CCC while Clarecastle and Clooney/Quin were asked to have their list with the CCC by Friday.
Clarecastle will be competing in the junior C championship and also in the inaugural division 10 league.
Demographic Officers:
Clubs were asked to nominate a specific officer to serve as a demographic contact in their club and it was suggested that the club registrar would be suitable as they would be dealing with membership.
Head of Operations Ann Marie Moran advised clubs to update their registrations on the Foineann system pointing out that registration fees had changed from €1000 per adult team to €50 per adult player while the fee for an underage player is €10.
Senior Scór:
This year’s senior Scór final will take place on March 22nd.
Handball success:
Clare handball delegate, Mike Kelly reported on a very successful week for Clare players at the National championships when six of the county’s eight representatives were victorious. Amongst those chasing success this coming week are Diarmaid Nash who will be competing in the senior semi-final.
Digital media:
Clare GAA is looking for a volunteer to work in their digital media department for this season. The successful person will replace Katie Arthur who filled the role last year but who has now returned to her studies. Clubs were asked to advertise the vacancy amongst their members.
April meeting:
The April meeting of Clare GAA will take place on Tuesday April 14th.
