How the GAA has dropped the ball on referees

Four-time All-Ireland SHC final referee and Irish Examiner columnist Brian Gavin clearly identifies a lack of investment relating to the drop of standards and referee shortages

UNDER-RESOURCED: Former referee Brian Gavin feels a lack of investment has led to a drop in standards and referee shortages. File pic: INPHO/James Crombie

This month four years ago, the GAA launched their referee development plan.

A three-year strategy up to 2021, the vision for officiating in the organisation was “to recruit, develop and inspire referees to reach their full potential and officiate at the highest level, and control our games, uniformly and consistently, in accordance with the playing rules.”