Our Referee Leading The Way In All Four Codes

Grew up one of 6 sisters, Mom was from Limerick and Dad from Wexford, both emigrating to England in their late teens and setting up life in Birmingham. Started playing for EGB as a young child following in my 3 older sisters footsteps. Soon fell in love with both Hurling/Camogie and Gaelic Football. There was no underage LGFA or Camogie in Britain then so I played up to under 16 with the boys. Going on to be vice Captain of the Warwickshire under 15 Hurling team who travelled to an All Ireland Féile in 1996, also winning an all Britain GAA club championship at under 16 in the same year, the first the club had ever won (see photo). I continued to play into my mid 20’s representing county teams at both Camogie and LGFA. I then started my family so stopped playing.

Erin Go Bragh has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was either playing, supporting or coaching. My sisters all played except for our youngest Kate who had a disability that stopped her from playing, however she was at every game home and away as our biggest supporter. My 3 children PJ (17), Annie (14) and Ada (10) all play for EGB as dual players with the 2 older ones representing county teams at both sports. Between myself and my sisters we have 17 children who all have been part of EGB at some point. With family members playing in many EGB teams. Every family event turns into some sort of competitive competition. My mom and dad have been a huge part of this, encouraging and supporting each and everyone of their children and grandchildren from under 12 LGFA to Senior Men’s this year. At this years ABCs, there were 8 grandchildren from our family playing at the ABCs over the weekend.

I have been a coach at EGB for over 10 years. Having been involved in underage Football/Hurling, LGFA and Adult Camogie. This year I have also been a coach for the under 15 Britain Camogie team and under 15 Warwickshire LGFA team travelling to the 2 All Ireland Féiles.

Following a break to have my children I returned to play Camogie in 2022. I loved being back. Unfortunately after 2 seasons I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After completing my treatment I decided to return to playing, however due to the side effects of the treatment and the level of physicality I play with I broke 3 ribs and was told this would keep happening if I continued to play. I decided to retire from playing and take up Refereeing. Hoping it would be a way to keep involved in the sports I love.

I started to referee about 18 months ago, so I am now half way through my 2nd season. I initially started with Go Games then onto LGFA and Camogie. I soon had an appetite for the men’s games. I now referee on many national events, such as, the All Britain Competition, the Northern Community Gaelic Games, Inter County U15-U18 GAA/LGFA/Hurling Games, as well as Britain University Competitions. Being the first female to referee a Men’s Football game in Britain, I really enjoy the pace and physicality of the men’s games. I absolutely love being a referee and am so pleased to be part of a new team as when you stop playing sport you massively miss it. The refereeing community is so supportive and non judgemental of each other. My experience in refereeing is helping my confidence grow. I am a very different referee to this time last year. I hope to continue to grow and improve my refereeing skills.

We are always on the lookout for new referees for all our codes. If you are interested in getting involved in refereeing across any of our codes (Gaelic Football, Hurling, Ladies Football or Camogie), please get in touch:

secretary.britain@gaa.ie, secretary.britainlgfa@gaa.ie, secretary.britian@camogie.ie