Limerick GAA referees launch recruitment drive

LIMERICK GAA referees have written to clubs with the hope of a major recruitment drive that will help take the load off current officials.

Those refereeing both hurling and football has dropped by 50% since 2012. That year, 105 referees were active across adult and underage fixtures.By 2015 that number had dropped to 85 and it now stands at 53.

One of the biggest issues highlighted by Limerick referees in the statement is the ago profile of current officials is rising at an alarming rate and that there is nobody to take their place when retirement becomes a reality.

"There is currently a foreseeable scenario whereby games will not be played in the coming season as there are not enough referees to officiate at these games," the statement reads.

"Currently in Limerick we have 39 clubs with active referees thus leaving us with 25 clubs with no referees active on the ground with some existing referees already indicating that they may not continue for the 2023 season. We sincerely ask you to consider this matter and give it your upmost consideration at your next club meeting.

There is a referee foundation level training course planned for early April and interested parties can contact: Brendan Stack – Runaí Limerick Referees Association (086 3895739, Donnacha O’Callaghan – Chairperson Limerick Referees Association,
(087 0674984) or Patsy Coffey – Limerick GAA referees Co-Ordinator (087 9160344) for more information