Ulster Referees recognised at annual dinner
The 2021 Ulster Referees Dinner took place on Monday 14th March 2022 in the Four Seasons Hotel, Monaghan.
Ulster PRO, Michael McArdle was MC for the evening and thanked all our referees for their time, commitment and involvement in the delivery of our games programme. Without referees, there are simply no games. All of our referees make themselves available and some at very short notice.
Ulster Referees Chairman, Sean Rooney made special reference to those who were involved in Overseas Finals in 2021. He commented:
“The standard of refereeing in Ulster was extremely good and I thank all the referees for their input and availability over the past 12 months. I congratulate the 11 graduates from the Referees Academy, and wish them well on their refereeing pathway.”
Ulster GAA Uachtarán Ciaran McLaughlin echoed these comments, adding:
“Ulster GAA have invested heavily in the development of our referees and will continue to do so. I thank all referees, advisors and committee members for undertaking the various roles during the year. This evening is an opportunity on behalf of Ulster GAA to say thank you to all of our referees for their continued support.”
In closing the evening’s proceedings, he remembered those who are no longer with us and paid special mention to the late Colin Murray, former Down and Ulster hurling referee.
The following 2020 and 2021 Referee Awards are listed below:
2021 Ulster Senior Football Championship (Cuchullian Statue) – David Gough (An Mhí)
2020 Ulster Senior Football Championship (Cuchullian Statue) – Barry Cassidy (Doire)
2021 Club Senior Football Championship – Martin McNally (Muineachán)
2021 Club Intermediate Football Championship – Conor Dourneen (An Cabhán)
2021 Club Junior Football Championship – Darren O’Hare (An Dún)
2021 Club Senior Hurling Championship – Colm McDonald (Aontroim)
2021 Club Intermediate Hurling Championship – Colum Cunning (Aontroim)
2021 Club Junior Hurling Championship – Kevin Parke (Aontroim)
2020 Ulster Minor Football Championship – James Lewis (Fear Manach)
2021 Ulster Minor Football Championship – Anthony Marron (Muineachán)
2020 U20 Football Championship – Darren O’Hare (An Dún)
2021 U20 Football Championship – Kieran Eannetta (Tír Eoghain)
2020 Dr McKenna Cup – Ciaran Branagan (An Dún)
2020 Conor McGurk Cup – Tarlach Conway (Doire)
2021 Conor McGurk Cup – James Connors (Dún na nGall)
Referees Academy Graduates
- Ciaran McCloskey (Aontroim)
- Shane Murphy (Ard Mhacha)
- Richie Donoghue (Doire)
- Conor Curran (An Dún)
- James Callaghan & Ryan Walsh (Dún na nGall)
- Diarmaid Boylan, Christopher Brady & Andrew Mullan (Muineachan)
- Mark Loughran & Gerard Fox (Tír Eoghain)
Referee of the Year (John McGlinchey Memorial Cup)
Joe McQuillan (An Cabhán)
Young Referee of the Year (Paul McKeever Memorial Cup)
Kevin Parke (Aontroim)
