Supporters need to understand referees are trying their best
I have experienced both sides of the game having played and refereeing rugby. In general, rugby players accept the referee’s decision (even when dubious). However the supporters, especially parents of young players, can be the most vocal in the comments of events happening on the pitch. They are overexuberant at times. If young players see a bad example, it can lead to these youngsters assuming that this type of behaviour is considered acceptable. They all need to remember the referees are doing their best and can’t see everything. Remember “No Ref – No Game”. Gerald Gilligan, Co Dublin
You need thick skin to be a referee
I started refereeing in 2007 at the Australasian GAA Games in Sydney and when I moved home in 2011, I signed up to be a referee. I’ve been treated very well and refereed some high-quality games. I would say 95 per cent of the games I’ve done have passed off peacefully – that is the litmus test for me. The bad days are bad and take time to get over. You beat yourself up about it and it affects every aspect of your life for days afterwards. On other days when it’s not your fault, it is a tight game with a lot at stake and you get the blame for the result from the losing side. You try not let it get to you – you definitely do need a thick skin to be a referee – but it’s impossible not to be affected.
It is a big commitment – I did 35 games in 2024 – and it wouldn’t be possible to do it without the support at home given family commitments. It is absolutely not something you would do for the money. The money barely covers the fuel cost. The new rules will bring their challenges and I feel particularly for the older referees for whom the changes will be significant. I feel the GAA should have postponed implementing the changes in the club game for 12 months until they were bedded in the intercounty game and we all had time to see them in action. I am a little nervous about what lies in store for the early part of the 2025 club season. Gerald Lohan, Co Galway
I’ve left the pitch thinking, “Why am I voluntarily giving up my time for this?”
I decided to become a match official because, to be quite frank, anyone who knows me knows I’m completely obsessed with rugby. I stopped playing a number of years ago at a pretty below-average level but still wanted a way to stay involved in the sport. Refereeing seemed like the obvious choice. I’m just starting out on my refereeing journey (less than a year in), but the recent decline in respect for top-level officials has me worried about its knock-on effects at grassroots levels.
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In my short experience, I’ve already witnessed this disrespect, particularly in youth games. Kids as young as 13 sometimes act like footballers, shouting and screaming over every little infringement. Even when I feel like I’ve had a good game, I’ve left the pitch thinking, “Why am I voluntarily giving up my time for this?” I believe referees are held accountable – through feedback and officiating panels – for poor performances. However, we often forget that when a player has a bad game, they are surrounded by a team of 22 others and a fan base to share their perspective and support them.
In contrast, even when a referee has a good game, they lack a platform to explain or defend their decisions (with the rare exception of Owen Doyle’s Irish Times column!). Unfortunately, with the current herd mentality among fans, referees are often unfairly subjected to abuse. They’re seen as an easy scapegoat – just check any South African club’s social media after a defeat, where the abuse often lacks rhyme or reason. Perhaps once in a while, we should comment on how well a referee officiated instead of only choosing to criticise when games don’t go as planned. Luke Judge, Co Dublin
I’d highly recommend being a referee
I started refereeing 30 years ago at age 24, Gaelic football and hurling, I wasn’t a good enough player to play intercounty so this was one reason. Also my dad had umpired for Paddy Collins at three All-Ireland football finals which left an impression on a young boy watching on TV. I’m still refereeing at club level, it’s enjoyable by and large, a great way to stay fit and active and see young and not so young players develop their skills, players especially young underage players are respectful.
Supporters can be less so but you try to ignore them, the new rules in Gaelic are attempting to reduce dissent and could help in this area. Overall I’d recommend it highly. Barry Kelly, Co Westmeath (referee of four All-Ireland hurling finals)
Your eyesight deteriorates as you run, fans should try out what it is really like to be a referee
I was a referee for rugby union and tag rugby for five years. Rugby was not so bad but I was abused and harassed at different times by players and fans as a referee and touch judge … some clubs were great and treated you well but it is the parents and fans that let them down. Tag rugby was the worst. There was an element where it was okay to have a go at the ref, it did not have the same ethos as rugby union. It was acceptable for players to scream at referees over decisions. There was no pay for the rugby union it was all voluntary and as much as I loved it, sadly it wasn’t worth it in the end.
The most interesting thing I learned is if a team makes a break, when you sprint to catch up your eyesight deteriorates as you run. That’s why when fans in the stands and pundits question the eyesight of a referee, they should try it themselves some time. It is also why positioning is so important, you have to be extra proactive in your movement. I thought Mack Hansen was bang out of order and without his sanctioning, it would make life more difficult for referees at all levels. Every referee makes mistakes, but they cannot be blamed for knock-ons or other errors the losing team makes, yet they often still get the blame for the defeat. Colm Gavin, Co Kildare
In order for the GAA to retain referees, they need to be rewarded better
I became a referee after no referee turned up for an under-16 game that I was the manager of. Reffed the game but found out that if a player got injured, they would not be insured. I’m still active. I feel I have a good relationship with players and management teams, there will always be the small few that will never be happy but that’s not our job. I have never feared for my safety. I had members of management teams come into my dressingroom after games angry, but straight away others apologising on their behalf.
The aspects of meeting new friends within the GAA and staying actively involved are invaluable. I’m constantly advocating for more people to become referees. Heavy fines and suspensions are the way forward to deal with dissent to referees. In order for the GAA to retain referees they need to be rewarded better – not financially but given more assistance – a cup of tea and a biscuit is always a welcome treat. ES, Co Limerick, Ireland
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