THE DONEGAL League is heading towards a ‘very urgent’ situation regarding a shortage of referees, clubs have been told.
At last night’s Donegal League AGM at Ballyare, Chairman of the Donegal branch of the Irish Soccer Referees’ Society (ISRS), Mick Lagan, outlined that the average age of referees in the county is 50.
League secretary Jimmy Haughey confirmed that a shortage of referees had ‘caused difficulties’ in the 2018/19 season.
“It is now very urgent that new referees are recruited and trained,” Mr Haughey said in his annual report.
Addressing delegates, Mr Lagan said that there are now 62 members in the branch, split almost 50-50 between Donegal and Inishowen.
“We need a lot of new blood,” he said.
“Refereeing can be very rewarding at times. In fairness to most clubs, when we land, they’re very hospitable, but maybe not when we’re leaving!
“Most clubs are very good, I have to say and referees’ facilities have come on immensely.”
Mr Lagan noted that, with 30 games on at weekends and given that members are also called to officiate in the Ulster Senior League and at Airtricity League underage games, the numbers are tight.
While some new members had been recruited in the Gweedore area, he called on clubs to do their bit in helping to attract new whistlers.
Mr Haughey added: “We acknowledge the role of the referee’s branch in their support of the Donegal League because, without their members’ interest and participation, we would be unable to organise a League.”
And Mr Lagan said referees are ‘doing our best’.
He said: “Football is a game of opinions. We have always got the right opinion! Yes, we make mistakes and people get frustrated but we do our very best. Work with us.”
In the 2018/19 season, there were 516 games played in the Donegal League, with the League containing 47 teams drawn from 36 clubs.
There were 1,474 registered players and a total of 1,629 goals scored.
All bar two of the clubs were represented at last night’s low-key AGM at Donegal League headquarters in Ballyare.
There was no change to the Donegal League executive with all of the officer board returned unopposed.
Donegal League Executive 2019/20
Chairperson – John Joe McCafferty
Vice Chairperson – Nigel Ferry
Secretary – Jimmy Haughey
Assistant Secretary – Terry Leyden
Fixtures Secretary – Christina O’Donnell
Treasurer – Declan Sherlock
Assistant Treasurer – John Lafferty
Area Reps: Lifford – Martin Duffy; Donegal – Gerry Rodgers; Milford – Hughie Walsh; Gweedore – Nigel Ferry; General – Gary Foy.
