Nash aims to give referees powerful voice

THE first steps have been taken in establishing an unofficial referees’ body, the Gaelic Match Officials Association.

Clonmel-based Alan Nash, owner of the gaelicrulesadvice.ie website and a former umpire, informed the Irish Examiner the decision has been made to form the organisation following an overwhelming response to a questionnaire sent out to referees across the country.

The questionnaire, which comprises a variety of welfare-related questions, was compiled after Nash was contacted by a number of referees who claimed they had been assaulted in GAA games last year.