‘Lunatic attack’ a genuine fear for Donegal referees - Pat Walsh 

Donegal Referees Administrator Pat Walsh, in his annual report to Convention, has once again highlighted the abuse thrown at our games’ officials. 

The Realt na Mara clubman went as far as to admit there is a palpable fear there now that someone could get seriously hurt if the frequent level of aggression directed at them doesn’t wane. 

He said: “The year under review has not been simple and has seen several cases of assault and challenging behaviour towards referees. 

“While nothing too serious has happened here, our officials have had numerous incidents thrown at them and while we remain healthy, do not forget that someone, somewhere is going to be seriously injured or maimed. 

“We can only earnestly pray that it won't happen here, or that our clubmate isn't the recipient of a lunatic attack. But, for now, we shall stick to the positives, and, who knows, maybe we could look to a future where every affiliated club has a Referee if that's not asking too much?”

Walsh though has highlighted the fact that new referees are joining up and indeed graduating to the county’s panel of officials. 

“The Referees Administration Committee is pleased to report that three new referees were added to the panel in 2023, and three more have been added to the Academy”.

He went on to thank the Donegal Competitions Controls Committee for their input in making sure all contests and competitions were completed in 2023 adding, “Monday nights would be dull without them”.

“All games were completed and that is a tremendous achievement in any year. For that to happen is huge testimony of the work put in by the CCC, in particular Runai, Ed Byrne and chair David McLoone, and also Frankie Doherty and Sharon McGinnity. 

“Without the cooperation of this group, appointments would not happen, and Monday nights would be dull without them”.

Special mention was reserved for Gaeil Fhánada referee Mark Dorrian whose fine performances have seen him elevated to the ranks of the National Football Panel. 

“With the recent addition of Gael Fanada's Mark Dorrian to the National Football Panel, it is pleasing to report that Donegal now has four referees on the National Panel, two in football and two in hurling, along with several others, in both codes, on the National Support Panel and the Provincial Panel”.