GAA games in Roscommon called off as referees withdraw services following assault in minor match

No championship games in the county will be played this weekend.

A referee who was officiating a minor club game in Roscommon earlier this week, was seriously assaulted and left hospitalised. The referee representatives and county board had a meeting last night following the incident, and have made the decision that they would not officiate matches this weekend. This goes for all levels at all codes in Roscommon, including the senior, intermediate and junior championship games that were scheduled for the next two days. There have been several campaigns in the past which raised awareness about the abuse that match officials have had to endure from time to time, but when something as disgusting as this happens, then more extreme measures are needed. The Roscommon county board are expected to make an announcement on the matter today. In a statement they previously released regarding the incident it stated that they were "Aware of an incident involving a referee at an underage match in Ballyforan. “We would like to wish the referee involved in this incident a speedy recovery," the statement said. It confirmed that the Competitions Control Committee would be launching a full investigation into the incident and that it condemns any behaviour which puts match officials at risk.