Serious demand for more GAA referees in Kilkenny

Kilkenny’s GAA clubs have been urged to encourage more people to take up the whistle.

Clubs who currently do not provide referees were asked to double their efforts as the Co Board looks to recruit more match officials to ease congestion issues arising from the GAA’s split season.

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The appeal came from Conor Denieffe as he signed off his tenure as Co Board Secretary at Monday’s annual Convention.

“Eight new referees trained and took up the whistle in 2022 - a welcome development,” he said. “I would call on the six remaining clubs who do not currently provide a referee to redouble their efforts to do so. The split season compresses competitions and, as a result, there can be serious demand for referees to take charge of games over a number of weekends in the autumn.

“Thanks to all our referees who co-operated so well at these times,” he added. “They played a major role in getting our games played on schedule.”

As part of a national Respect the Referee Day, Kilkenny’s referees were invited to the intermediate and junior hiring county finals as guests of the Co Board.

The GAA also ran articles in the match programme and on the Kilkenny website to highlight the essential role referees play in the game.

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“I would urge players, officials and supporters to show respect to our referees at all times,” added Mr Denieffe.

“The Give Respect-Get Respect campaign seeks to ensure that Gaelic Games are promoted and played in a positive, fair and enjoyable manner and where players, coaches, spectators and referees give and get respect from each other. This applies at all levels regardless of age, role, competition or ability.

“We are lucky in Kilkenny that almost all of our games are played in this spirit,” he continued. “However, there were a couple of occasions in the past year where behaviour of players, mentors or supporters was not what it should be.

“We appreciate the time and effort put in by players training and playing our games, the work of mentors preparing and looking after teams and supporters who come and support their teams but no-one, whatever their role may be, has the right to verbally abuse or threaten others at a game.

Look back on the season that was with the Kilkenny GAA Yearbook