A referee in Kildare holds the distinction of having officiated in every code on every GAA pitch in the county.
Clane GAA match official John McLoughlin ticked the last remaining box last weekend when he refereed in Grangenolvin for the first time. The opportunity arose after Grange had posted a message on social media looking for someone to referee a ladies football challenge between themselves and south Kildare rivals Athy.
“Genial Clane clubman John McLoughlin has often mentioned to us on our travels that the only Kildare pitch he hadn’t refereed in was Grange,” the club tweeted.
“When Barry Moore posted a message last week that we were looking for an official for a challenge game between our ladies and Athy John gave the thumbs up straight away and the benchmark was reached last night.”
TweetCongratulations to our club man John McLoughlin on a remarkable accomplishment of having officiated across all codes on every GAA pitch in Kildare! He completed the feat last week in Grangenolvin gfc. Huge congrats John and thank you @KildareGAA, @KildareCamogie @KildareLGFA1 pic.twitter.com/9sKfX5UvCQ
— Clane GAA (@ClaneGAA) November 3, 2023