*Wayne King explains a decision to Ballyea’s Niall Deasy. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
CLARE GAA is facing “a crisis” with the shortage of referees, an ex-inter county official has warned.
Speaking at the January meeting of the Clare County Board, Ambrose Heagney issued a note of caution to clubs asking for increased league games at football and at championship level for Junior B hurling.
During his time as a referee, the Galway native was in charge of the 2005 Munster club senior hurling final between Newtownshandrum and Ballygunner, the 2006 Munster U21 hurling decider and four Clare SHC finals.
“The only issue with more games is with referees,” the Corofin man stated. “We have a serious crisis with refereeing in this county, it is causing huge problems. We are struggling to get referees to cover fixtures”.
Heagney added, “it is something that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. With the amount of games, it is so difficult. Referees are doing three to four games per weekend and some during the week”.
Jack Chaplin, in his final address as Chairman of Clare GAA raised the alarm about the current quantity of match officials. “We are drawing from a small pool of referees and I appeal to our clubs, past players and anyone interested to offer their services in this area”.
Coiste na nÓg Iomaint secretary, Pat Gavin also expressed the need for clubs to put forward more personnel to take up the whistle. “If the current programme of games is to continue going forward then clubs are going to have to supply more people to come forward and take up the whistle and become an official referee,” the Ogonnelloe man warned.
