The word obviously a deviation of "REFERENCE” which can be traced back to 1621 in relation to legal work did not make it onto a sports arena until around the 1840’s when Americans used the word to denote the arbitory party of the games laws and incidents. In our own code, it was accepted that the 2 captains would meet to agree on any dispute or disagreement that arose during the game.

Later when this got too difficult: it was agreed that each team would bring along umpires that would allow the captains to concentrate on the game, and eventually a 3rd impartial umpire was appointed, and around 1891 it’s understood that the first referee took to the sod. 2 club unmpires were still used, however they stayed on the side line, and soon this role evolved into the linesman or in Rugby’s case the touch judge. Things have moved forward considerably, with teams now regularly bringing 3,4,5 up to 15 referees for a match, that can offer considered opinions on all facets of the game, the referee’s parentage and their visual abilities.

The referee and touch judge cannot be contradicted during the game, however Captains are permitted and encouraged to DISCUSS a referee’s decision, if only it were that straight forward.

None the less, by 1927 the game in the province had developed to such an exetend that it was thought prudent by the powers that be to explore the feasibility of forming a Referees Association. Subsequent findings were to be lees than hopeful as applications for referees in the province were insufficient to warrant the full development of an Association. However following a statement by then President Dr. Michael Davitt, in which he outlined the perils of the job, it was adopted by the Branch that no member of a club be permitted to play in any fixture under Branch rules, unless wearing club colours and that the referee have authority to order off any player that failed to comply with this rule. This law still exists today Under Law 4 Section 5 sub-section (C) Palyers clothing.

Around this time and due to concerns brought up by team delegates in relation to unfair tactics that werebeing employed by some teams of the day, a more structured approcah was taken to the formulation of a Referees Association, and on the 7th of January 1935, then president of The Connacht Branch Mr Henry J Anderson was pleased to announce that a referees meeting had taken place. Mr Michael Tighe had been appointed the first Honorary secretary and various matters had been discussed, no doubt these included matters that are still discussed at todays meetings, the scrum, off-side, the touch-line and referees gear, where’s my expenses? Can I get tickets for the England Game? Etc etc etc

One significant date and event of the time was The Connacht Senior Cup final of 1935. Up to that point, the marquee game had been refereed by a coleague from one of the sister branches. However in 1935, Mr Vincent Barry became the first Connacht Referee to be appointed to The Senior Cup Final Things were progressing in the Association, in 1938, Mr Jack Deacy was the first referee to represent the Association at the branch level. Noted referees of this time were FG Kinneen, Mydie Roche (Uncle to M. Roche), MG Little, Jim Egan, Jack Deacey and Paddy Lardiner, Harry Flattery and JJ Glynn & Paddy O Flynn.

Things could have taken a turn for the worst when in October 1942 it was proposed and seconded that the association be abolished.

However in December of that year, and following work by Messers Crowley, Little and Barry, the Association was Re-adopted byThe Connacht Branch, and that 10 practising referees of the day be the founding members:

Jack Deacy, Harry Flattery, Brendan Glynn, Johnny Glynn, Paddy Griffin, Paddy Lardiner, Gerry Little, Paddy O Flynn, Heggie o Neil and Tom Ryan.

From the time that Jack Deacy was appointed to the Bateman Cup Final, which was a competition for the cup winners of each province , Connahct Referees continued too represent the province with great honour. The introduction of the AIL in 1990/91 saw Tom "Moss da Boss” Moran, Robbie Gallagher, Eddide Walsh, Mike Ward and Mick Roche (only recently officiated at Heineken Junior Cup Quater Final game) take to a national stage.

And as greats arrive other greats must make way, and 1960 saw the retirement after 25 years of service of Mr. Paddy „Lobby” Lardiner.

And so in the 1960’s when JFK came to Ireland, RTE first broadcast and Man first stepped on the moon the following were just some stepped onto the pitch as referee. Paddy Beatty, Gerry Boland, Tony Browne, Noel Carpenter, Liam Carroll, Pat Cawley, Jimmy Clinch, Chris Crowley, Frank Deacy, Norman Deacy, Jack Deacy, Ken Dexter, Kenny Egans, Des Foote, Joe Fox, Mick Halpin, Mick Heaslip, Liam Molloy, Tony O Sullivan, Mick Sullivan, Mick Silke, Brendan Watson and Donie White.

When Frank Howard passed the Secrtarial duties of the Assoiciation over to Mick Halpin in 1971, he was able to report that the Organisation had 24 active referees taking care of 231 games & 3 7 a-side tournaments

In the 70’s when Ireland was joining The EC, Monaco was winning the Eurovision and Pope John Pual was visiting, The Association’s numbers and quality was being swelled with the likes of Tony Gavin, John Hanley, Murt Folan, Eoin Hosty, the Aforementioned Mick Roche, Joe Tighe, John Casserely, Tom Walsh, Harry o Connor, Mick Hackett, Kevin Prendergast, Tony Hogan, Eddie Lloyd, Padraig Brennan, Eoin crowley, Pierre Tansey, Robbie Gallagher. The 70’s also saw a return to duty for Fr Christy Glynn and Brendan Guerin.

In the 80’s when A monumental Anglo-Irish Agreement was being signed, Shergar dissappeared and Ireland and Ciaran Fitzgreald were winning Triple Crowns and Championhips. The Association of Referees connacht Branch had recruited the calibre of Martin Smyth, Jarlath Mahon, Frank Berry, Wally Rouse. Mossy Moran, John Power, Stewart Ellis, Ken Dolan, Eddie Walsh, Gerry Fitzgerald, Peter Allen, Tony Kelly, Danny O Neil, Mike Flanagan, Bobby McGann, Brian Derrane, Peter Gallagher, Brendan Holland, Des Kenny, oliver Bourke, Trevor Ardill, Noel Byrne, Michael Cunningham, Bernie O Farrell, Tom McGovern, David Glynn, Jim Gannon and Frank Mulligan.

By 1991/92 there were 31 active referees and as many as 14 active assessors, many of these and further recruits went on to represent Club, Province and Association at both National & International level. Pionerred possibly in the 70’s by Mr. Paddy Beatty (a former Sparks player) who’s unique style and organizing ability on and off the field was a tremendous asset to the game. Despite numerous offers from senior clubs he forfeited a great career to stay with the Boys. When his playing days were coming to an end he took up the whistle. The highlight of his career, his first international appointment to England v Wales Schoolboys in 1976 making him Connacht's first International Referee. He was honoured again the following year with the England v France Schoolboys. Before these appointments, Paddy was the man in the middle for the 70/71 & 72/73 Senior Schools Finals. In 1979 and 10 years later, Paddy served as Connacht Branch President.

As I mentioned before, the introduction of the AIL in 1990/91 saw Tom 'Mossy' Moran, Robbie Gallagher, Eddie Walsh, Mike Ward and Mick Roche make the national stage. Futher accolade's were to follow, with Eddie & Padraig Gilmore being the first Connacht Referees to be given IRFU Contracts.

They both have continued to represent and contirbute to the Referee’s Association. Gilliy currently in his capacity as Association secretary, having taken over from B Hutchinson after many years, but also fills the role of IRFU Assessor, confidant and orcale. Eddie having refereed almost 30 internationals at various levels, whilst doing do so was the First Irish Referee appointed at International level to referee in Twickenham. This season has seen Eddie appointed by the IRB as Match Citing Commissioner in the Italy V Wales 6 Nations Game and we wish him every success in the future.

Others who distinguished themselves at national & international levels in recent seasons have been Alan Rowe, Conor Brannigan, Louis Cunningham, Peter McCarthy and of course our President Tom Horkan who took up the whistle around 1999 and rose to referee at the highest level of the AIL & and recieved appointments at European level.

Tom and these men have laid the foundations for continued success. We were very proud as an Association to see Dave Connolly line-out for his first appointemt as Assistant Referee in The Magners league game between Munster & The Men of Gwent before christmas, and we wish Dave continued success.

The IRFU has recognised the success that has gone before and the appointment of referee recruitment & retention officers, like Ken Imbusch and more recently Dave O Brein who was named Young referee of The Year 2007, will continue no doubt produce more success for Connacht.

This year has seen Paul Jennings from Westport take up the challenge of the IPAS, before him Damien Eames. Week in week out the Association is represented at all levels by men the calibre of Noel Crowley, Sean Grealish, Seamus Phillips, John Martin, Roy Gibson, John O Boyle, Christy O Sullivan, Jason Craughwell, Emmett Dormer, Daithi Flood, Karol Collins, Conor Wynn, Tom Reilly,Tom McNicholas, andy Maxwell, Paul Gannon, James Maxwell. Shane MacElwee, Robbie Carson.

This year I am proud to report that the Association can boast 43 active referees and a further 8 new recruits from January and some 13 assessors (Eddie, Padriag, John Carr, Mossy, Mick, Des, Mike Ward, Kevin Prendergast, Noel Carpenter, Louis Cunningham, Des, Brendan Hutchinson, Trevor) who will no doubt continue to put us through our paces as the seasons pass.

We can indeed look forward to the next 75 years, and I am confident that at the 150th dinner there will be further noted successes and accolades relating to Connacht Referees.

It would of course be remiss of me not to acknowledge our fellow referees and dignitaries from Ulster, Munster & Leinster, who have contributed so richly to the development of The Connacht Referees Association over the past 75 years (some of whom are pictured above) Headed by Mr Owen Doyle, I have been fortunate enough to have met and assisted IRFU Referees like Dave Keane, Dave Wilkinson, Peter Fitzgibbon, George Clancy, Allain Rolland, Alan Lewis, Richard Kerr and many more. Of course last and possibly most importantly Mr Dave McHugh, who’s accolades and achievements in the game run from Rockwell to Rotorua and are too numerous to mention, but from from Limerick to The Lions and everything between. Dave has a great friend, support and catalyst for Connacht Referees & rugby. Thanks Dave.

Finally, I would also like to thank Mr. Ralph O Gorman for the information and assistance in putting this together. I would also like to thank and congratulate Tom on a very successful year as president. It’s been a pleasure to sit at committee with you.

And with that, and considering that the 45 sec allocated the Academy Awards is long over I leave you with this quote from Mr. Earl Warren from Fortune Magazine, that in some way’s show’s how lucky we are to continue to take part in something we love:

I always turn to the sports pages first, which record people's accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man's failures.