In attendance during the GAA Referees Respect Day at Croke Park in Dublin are, from left, Referee Colm Lyons, Referee David Coldrick, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Larry McCarthy, Referee Thomas Gleeson and Referee Sean Hurson.
By John Harrington
GAA President Larry McCarthy says there must be zero tolerance at all levels of the Association for abuse of match officials.
He was speaking at the launch today of national Respect the Referee Day which will be held across the weekend of October 22 and 23.
“Actions need to speak louder than words when it comes to respect for our referees, because the actions of a small number of members of our association have undoubtedly cast a shadow over the entire association,” said McCarthy.
“Our GAA manifesto, ‘Where We All Belong’, requires no one is left out and that includes our match officials undoubtedly. They make a huge contribution to our games … a contribution that our games cannot exist without them. They’re as important as players, as coaches, as committee members.
“They’re dedicated to our games, they’re passionate about their role and they have families that are very proud of the role that they play.
“But how we treat them says much about us, I would argue, and the only treatment we should tolerate is one of utmost respect.
“The GAA we want as an entity, as an organisation, is one where respect for all members is not just a slogan but is enshrined in our actions. It’s not just our mantra; it really truly is where we all belong. And we have the opportunity and the ability to ensure that our GAA community sets that tone of respect, and respect for all our members.
“And I urge us now, as we launch this Referees’ Respect day, to show courage and to make sure that this opportunity is not lost.
“The standards we set in our clubs, on our sidelines, among our members, need to be clear and they need to be unequivocal. All those involved in our games must adhere to our standards of respect and discipline - and we will not tolerate abuse of players, of coaches, of members or of match officials.”
In attendance during the GAA Referees Respect Day at Croke Park in Dublin in October, 2022, were referees, from left, Colm Lyons, David Coldrick Sean Hurson and Thomas Gleeson.
McCarthy also insisted the culture of individuals and teams trying to have suspensions overturned on technicalities must also be challenged going forward.
“It can, I would argue, be quite disheartening to see people who have been disciplined have their punishments reduced or even dismissed on the most minute or infinitesimal technicality,” he said.
“We need, in my view, to adopt the John Mullane mantra – ‘where you do the crime, you do the time.’
“Last spring we launched a five-year strategic plan, and referee recruitment and retention and support was one of its central pillars. And indeed at the press conference that day, when I was asked what was the important element of that, I referred to the fact that there was support for referees.
“This month we launched a review of several key areas that you’re going to hear about, that include penalties for infractions against match officials, how these are handled within the disciplinary process, with an aim to bringing motions to Congress and a full review of the ‘Give Respect, Get Respect’ initiative.
“But today is only one small step. It’s one small step in changing a culture – a culture where negative criticism and inflammatory language have all too often been accepted - reversing what one commentator has called a corrosive assault on civility.
“Culture changes come slowly, and anybody who suggests otherwise does not understand either the culture or change in an organisation such as this. But, it is a change we as an association are committed to, and we will continue to create an environment where all of our members are valued and respected, particularly our referees.”