There was a little bit of criticism of referees during the 2018 National Leagues. Presently there are no former inter county players (By inter county players I mean players who played Senior for their county for at least 3 years).

In the past we had Mickey Kearins (Sligo), Simon Deignan (Cavan) and Peter McDermott (Meath). Brian Smith (Meath) refereed hurling games in Leinster including a Leinster Senior Final.

Just wondering have an of the present referees any inter county experience as adult players and if any club referees in your county were prominent inter county players for at least 3 years and maybe should be encouraged to step up to inter county level. I just have a feeling that they might command a little more respect.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1061 - 28/03/2018 19:51:44    2089146

There was a little bit of criticism of referees during the 2018 National Leagues. Presently there are no former inter county players (By inter county players I mean players who played Senior for their county for at least 3 years).

In the past we had Mickey Kearins (Sligo), Simon Deignan (Cavan) and Peter McDermott (Meath). Brian Smith (Meath) refereed hurling games in Leinster including a Leinster Senior Final.

Just wondering have an of the present referees any inter county experience as adult players and if any club referees in your county were prominent inter county players for at least 3 years and maybe should be encouraged to step up to inter county level. I just have a feeling that they might command a little more respect.
MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 222 - 28/03/2018 19:51:44 What gives you the idea that former players will get more respect than others as officials?

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 28/03/2018 21:35:29    2089176

Anthony Nolan played with Wicklow

BartMcQueen (Cork) - Posts: 196 - 28/03/2018 21:51:57    2089188

Jimmy Cooney. Thought he was very good until he messed up time keeping. He should have stuck at it. We would have slagged him about it but in a nice way!!

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1826 - 28/03/2018 22:47:22    2089205

He's not a present player (indeed he's unfortunately no longer with us) but Simon Deignan of Cavan and Ulster refereed a few All-Ireland Senior finals. Likewise former Celtic cross winner Dr. Mick Loftus of Mayo, who officiated two All-Ireland finals and later became GAA President. Think you can say the same of Seamus Aldridge of Kildare too.

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 29/03/2018 12:42:55    2089311

s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5518 - 29/03/2018 21:38:00    2089429

The great Mick Higgins of Cavan refereed...

PearseBro (Monaghan) - Posts: 459 - 29/03/2018 23:23:01    2089450

John hickey from Carlow is current inter county ref and played corner back for Carlow also

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1591 - 30/03/2018 09:53:43    2089489

So should more recently retired inter county players be encouraged to take up the whistle?

They would be reasonably fit and should know the rules and also the tricks pulled on the field to hoodwink officials!!

In the past it was reasonably commonplace for inter county players to be referees this thread alone has identified, Simon Deignan, Mick Higgins and Peter McDermott who all played at the same time and indeed I now add Liam Maguire (Cavan), although he was Monaghan based when he referred to the list. At that time I don't think there was an inter county panel as we have today but to have four All Ireland winners as referees would nearly be unimaginable today.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1061 - 30/03/2018 12:27:25    2089518

old yellar (None) - Posts: 2625 - 30/03/2018 15:40:39    2089555

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1591 - 30/03/2018 15:56:46    2089557

old yellar (None) - Posts: 2625 - 30/03/2018 20:57:49    2089601

Fergal Horgan Tipperary won all Ireland minor and Munster U21 think he only played once or twice in senior with Tipp but I know he played for London as well.

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 01/04/2018 13:27:49    2089919

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1337 - 02/04/2018 14:35:10    2090325

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 03/04/2018 11:07:32    2090580

Torcaill (Australia) - Posts: 204 - 03/04/2018 22:41:04    2090857

Current referee Johnny Murphy of Limerick played many seasons with Limerick footballers.
Decent referee who does both hurling and football.
Think he still lines out for his club Ballylanders.

hamstring (Limerick) - Posts: 318 - 05/04/2018 19:05:10    2091310

shoulderghost (Limerick) - Posts: 863 - 07/04/2018 02:10:36    2091503

So should more recently retired inter county players be encouraged to take up the whistle?
They would be reasonably fit and should know the rules and also the tricks pulled on the field to hoodwink officials!!
In the past it was reasonably commonplace for inter county players to be referees this thread alone has identified, Simon Deignan, Mick Higgins and Peter McDermott who all played at the same time and indeed I now add Liam Maguire (Cavan), although he was Monaghan based when he referred to the list. At that time I don't think there was an inter county panel as we have today but to have four All Ireland winners as referees would nearly be unimaginable today.
MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 231 - 30/03/2018 12:27:25Possibly but just because you played at inter county level doesnt mean you have any idea of or ability to referee even at underage.

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 08/04/2018 00:37:03    2091593