Referee’s Graduation

The words of the Referee Tutor:

The parents, mentors and players didn’t know what to expect when they saw 30 newly qualified referees parade on to the four juvenile pitches to officiate a challenge match between Naomh Mearnog and Raheny in Portmarnock on Saturday the 23^rd of January. Some parents were wondering if there had been a riot at a previous meeting between the two teams, but their fears were soon calmed when told the reason why there were so many turquoise jerseys on the pitch. 30 participants from Fingallians, Garristown, Na Fianna, Round Towers Lusk, Skerries Harps, St. Maurs and St. Pats Donabate attended a Level 1 Referees Course held over 4 days, the first three in Fingallians and the final exam and on the pitch practical in Naomh Mearnog in Portmarnock. Each of the participants passed their entrance and final exams and on pitch practical with distinction. We hope to see many of these refs progress through the juvenile Referee Pathway (Level 2 reffing U11/12, Level 3 reffing U13/16) and on to adult and even intercounty fixtures. We wish these new referees, and all other juvenile referees best wishes when officiating in the future.

A big thanks to the staff in Parnell Park for their hard work organising these courses. We would like to acknowledge the assistance of Fingallians for hosting the first three nights of the course, and Naomh Mearnog for providing the venue for the final day and the on the pitch practical. A big thanks too to the players and mentors of Naomh Mearnog and Raheny for allowing their teams to be used as guinea pigs!!!