A unique and memorable occasion worth acknowledging!
Three brothers had the honour of officiating together at the recent Divisional Final of the Tipperary Crosco Cup in West Tipperary — Golden vs Éire Óg Annacarty Donohill.
A huge well done to:
Aidan Butler (Knockavilla G.A.A.) (Middle – Referee on the Day)
Ger Butler (Moyle Rovers G.A.A.) (Left)
John Butler (Upperchurch G.A.A.) (Right)
What an achievement for the Butler brothers and for Tipperary GAA!
Golden/Kilfeacle 1-24
Éire Óg Annacarty/Donohill 0-20
Report Here by Francis Coughlan :- https://www.tipperarylive.ie/news/gaa/1816141/crosco-cup-hurling-honours-in-west-tipperary-are-claimed-by-golden-kilfeacle.html
Interested in becoming a referee in 2026?
With the growth in popularity of Gaelic Games, the demand for match officials is increasing. With over four thousand games being played in our county on an annual basis, the role of the referee is a particularly important cog of the wheel to ensure all games take place. However, we are seeing a drop in our current crop of officials, due to injury, work life balance and age related factors. During the last GAA season in 2023, a number of games had to be cancelled due to no referee available. This was very unfair to the clubs affected in these fixtures. Out of the 71 clubs in Tipperary, we have 13 clubs without referees. This represents 18% which is not acceptable. Our target is that every club has an active referee. We are at a crisis in Tipperary in relation to the number of qualified active referees.
Basic Club Referee Training Courses are provided every year by trained Referee Tutors in County Tipperary. The first two Modules will be completed online by the student in the comfort of their own home, while the next two modules will be completed as a group in Thurles. The course is developed in conjunction with Croke Park and supported through the Provincial Munster Referees Administrators.
Although the opportunity is closed for this year it is a good time to put yourself in the referees shoes during 2025 and maybe this could be you for 2026!!!
All clubs who do not currently have a referee in their club are encouraged to trawl their membership for prospective candidates.
Please forward on details of interested candidates to any of the following personnel listed below or e mail refereesadministrator.tipperary@gaa.ie
REFEREE RECRUITMENT COMMITTEE Philip Kelly Chairperson (North Division) 087 286 3683, John Ryan Secretary (West Division) 086 241 7763, Michael Kennedy (South Division) 087 990 7661, John McCormack (West Division) 087 790 5630, Seamus Delaney (Mid Division) 087 639 6698, Alan Tierney (North Division) 087 415 9247.
Or from any member of the Referees Administration; Philip Kelly (Chairperson), John Bob Ryan (Secretary) Franny Quinn (Divisional Administrator West), Miceal McCormack (Divisional Administrator South), Ciaran Timmons (Divisional Administrator North), TBC (Divisional Administrator Mid)
To become a GAA referee in Tipperary, individuals must first apply to the Tipperary GAA through their respective club. They will then participate in the Club Referee Foundation Course, which includes online learning and in-person training. After completing the course and officiating a few games, they will receive a certificate and badge.
Detailed Steps:
- 1. Application:Interested individuals should apply through their club secretary using the relevant application form available on the Tipperary GAA website.
- 2. Foundation Course:The course consists of online modules and a one-day in-person session delivered by GAA Referee Tutors.
- 3. Offline Learning:The online learning modules must be completed before attending the in-person training.
- 4. Safeguarding Training:Online safeguarding training is also required before the in-person training.
- 5. Officiating:After completing the training, referees will officiate a number of games (typically five) to be supported by their County Referee’s Administrator.
- 6. Certification:Upon successful completion of the course and officiating the required games, referees receive a certificate and a badge.
