RTÉ GAA Podcast: Two club referees tell their tales

The podcast is back after a brief hiatus and Mikey Stafford and Rory O'Neill are joined by two club referees to discuss their own experiences in the wake of the alleged assault on Kevin Naughton in Roscommon.

Barry Kelly is a former inter-county hurling referee, who still officiates club and underage matches in his native Westmeath.

Marty Coyle, at 21, is one of the youngest club championship referees in the country and has been in the middle of matches in Tyrone since he was 17.

Marty describes being "numb" after hearing the news about the hospitalisation of Naughton following the incident during a minor club football match in Roscommon last week.

Barry has experienced plenty of verbal abuse over the years but insists players are the least likely offenders, with mentors and supporters the main issue.

Rory highlights the role the media has to play in the GAA's negative attitude towards referees, while Barry says the onus is on the administrators around the country to take control of the appeals process.

However both men are largely positive about refereeing, agreeing the pay is fine and, for the most part, it is something they will continue to enjoy doing... but maybe not into their seventies like legendary Westmeath whistler John Joe Brady.

Listen to the RTÉ GAA Podcast at Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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