Referees’ Administrator’s report remembers Don Langan and JJ Laverty

In his report to Donegal GAA Convention, referees’ administrator, Pat Walsh, remembers two highly esteemed colleagues who passed to their eternal reward during the year, Don Langan and JJ Lafferty.

“Don was a legend of the St Michael's club, and a true stalwart of his beloved Creeslough. He was rightly championed in last year's Report for his ceaseless and patient work as Recruitment Officer on the Referees Committee, where huge strides had been made in 2024. That Sharon McGinity has continued this trend into 2025 is further testimony to Don's efforts. Don will be sorely missed personally as a loyal and trusted friend, by his refereeing comrades as an inspiration, but as a loving husband to Annette and father of Shauna and Aaron, he will never be replaced. He was indeed a special person.

“In the middle of October, I was surprised to hear of JJ Lafferty's passing, even though he had been bravely battling illness all year. JJ was a hurling nut, and while he didn't do a huge number of fixtures, he had the responsibility of referee appointments for underage fixtures for a number of years and took the job on with humour and impartially at all times, right up to the days before he passed away.

“He was well-known in hurling circles nationally, and as a provincial administrator told me a couple of weeks ago, it felt like a National Lottery win for JJ when he was appointed to Croke Park's hurling support group a few years ago. A very popular man was JJ, and to his heartbroken wife Nuala and sons Conor, Oran and Cain, and his large extended family, sincerest sympathy at this sad time.”

The report touches on the changes which took place in 2025 to the playing rules and Walsh thanks all those who helped co-ordinate the changes, especially the referees on the national panel Mark Dorrian and Enda McFeely along with James Connors and Jimmy White. He also thanks Administrator Lisa (McTernan) in Convoy and Darren Collins and officers for advice and encouragement.

“It is fair to say that the changes were largely seamless, which has to be a tribute to all concerned, and I thank you all.

“On a negative note, I would ask clubs to consider the level of respect afforded to our Referees, especially at underage fixtures. This year has seen too many unsavory incidents, some of which have resulted in fairly senior Referees taking time out from the job, and it is down to abuse, which can no longer be tolerated.

“Thankfully, I am not aware of physical assaults, but it has happened elsewhere, and no club should contemplate allowing an official to be abused or put in fear of carrying out their duties. Remember the referee is human and as capable as anyone of making a mistake but should not be vilified for a split-second error.”

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“To conclude, can I extend gratitude to a bunch of individuals who seldom get a mention or even a look-in, and that is our dedicated Umpires. The usual ‘reward’ mightn't extend beyond a query about the state of their eyesight, not to mention they might have to plead for the return of the admission fee, but referees know their value. While it's not much, the fact that a referee can now treat his Umpires to a meal after a County Final is a tiny step forward and as deserved as it gets! Umpires Abu!”