Seven referees graduate from Ulster GAA Referee Academy

Ulster GAA recently hosted a graduation event from the Ulster GAA Referee Academy at the Tyrone GAA Centre of Excellence, Garvaghey.

Seven referees graduated from the Academy at the end of 24 month programme aimed at upskilling and developing ‘up-and-coming’ referees with a view to empowering them to progress to officiating Gaelic games at Provincial level.

Participants were provided with assistance in the following areas:

• Goal setting
• Fitness development
• Work rate and positioning
• Controlling players and man management
• Nutrition and hydration
• Psychology
• Injury prevention

In attendance were the Vice Chairperson of Ulster GAA Ciaran McLaughlin, the secretary and chairperson of the Ulster GAA Referees’ Committee Michael McGoldick and Jim O’Rourke and Ryan Mellon the Referee Academy Co-ordinator.

The Referees who graduated were:

• Barry McMenamin (Cavan)
• Cathal McDermott (Antrim)
• Garry Gormley (Tyrone)
• Kevin Parke (Antrim)
• John Murphy (Fermanagh)
• Aidan McAleer (Donegal)
• Jake Magill (Armagh)