Go Whistle ISSUE 1 VOLUME 2 A S S O C I A T I O N O F R E F E R E E S L E I N S T E R B R A N C H AUGUST 2007 Presidents Corner Norman Camier unexpected. Talking about painted this year !!!!!). It is Inside this issue: the unexpected if there are always pleasing then when any worth publishing do we do. Presidents Corner 1 We are fast approaching our Seminar on the 19th of send them in to us. I wish everybody a very August and I hope as many September brings it’s own successful coming season. News and Views 1 as possible will be able to excitement with the start Yours in rugby, make it to Old Belvedere. of the World Cup and the Seminar News 2 first match between France Norman (Details inside this issue) and Argentina which will Unplayable Grounds 2 You will notice that this have a real bearing on Ire- year the plan is in place to land’s group. That match have more meeting avail- th National Conference 3 kicks off on Friday the 7 able to our members and and Ireland’s first match is this has been done to in- against Namibia Sunday the Alain Rolland 4 creasing communication 9th. among us. It is important (See our world cup special) WORLD CUP SPECIAL 5-6 to share information as well as using the occasions to As a member of the ARLB foster the fellowship that it is also good for all of us exist between us. No refe- to set out our objectives for ree goes through games the year, we do it at work, without having experiences we do it at home (I must be they Law issues or the get the outside of the house NEWS and VIEWS JOHN PAUL DOYLE wish him well for the future. ASSESSORS MEETING ing do come along. JP is the son of former presi- The meeting will be held in John Paul Doyle who started dent Terry Doyle. He is a Dave McHugh has kindly Old Belvedere at 7.30pm. his career with the ARLB has member of Terenure College agreed to kick-off our series been appointed to Division 1 RFC and the London Society of meeting on the 6th of Sep- in England. This is the second of Rugby Football Union tember. All Assessors / highest level and just below Referees. Coaches are invited. If there are people who are interested top 15 elite. We are de- in either assessing or coach- lighted with JP’s progress GO WHISTLE SEMINAR PROMISES TO BE BEST YET perience. Bertie refereed at A further Seminar is planed ,he emphasis this year is on the highest level and contin- for November 15th in Law- development allied to an at- ues to be actively involved in lors Hotel Naas Start 8pm. tempt to address some of the referee’s affairs. More details will be on our issues raised in the end of web site nearer the time. season questionnaire. Aoife Mc Carthy will give an insight into her refereeing We are delighted to confirm at International level. that Steve Griffiths will be With thanks to G.P. Maher. taking much of the morning Alan Oliver (retired child session and addressing the protection officer Scotland issue of Assertiveness - how Yard) will give a talk on child Seminar & Workshop to empower referees in the protection and the areas, crucial area of Man Manage- which have reference to the Dates ment. The evidence of recent ARLB. Dates for the laws meet- assessments would suggest ing for season 2007/2008 that this is one key area re- In addition to all the above, quiring improvement, par- Ciaran O Brien is organis- ticularly for emerging refe- ing a welcome pack for all Old Belvedere Rugby Club rees. referees and assessors, con- 19th August 2007 tents of same awaiting confir- More and more often now mation! Lawlors Hotel Naas referees have touch judging 15th November 2007 The steering group will con- #diary in Sunday appointments, often at levels of games higher than those at tinue to meet during the off- August 19th season and feel free to throw Old Belvedere Rugby Club which they normally officiate. 28th February 2008 and we all look I am delighted to confirm that in suggestions to Alfie or Norman. forward to seeing David Keane has agreed to SYMPATHIES take charge of this module. you on the day.’ So diary in Sunday August To show we have an All Ire- 19th and we all look forward The Association would like to extend our sympathy to John land perspective we have in- to seeing you on the day. Nolan on the Death of his fa- vited Bertie Smith from the ther in law Michael Breen Munster Association to share ‘May he rest in peace’ with us some of his vast ex- INFO ON UNPLAYABLE GROUNDS & NEWS ion; the ground is in an unsafe Leinster Rugby site. Please be advised that in the c o n d i t i o n . event of a grounds man de- Honorary Secretary ARLB claring a pitch unplayable, SPEEDY RECOVERY referees have no responsibility P.S. It is always a good idea to or authority to offer a con- give the club where you are We would like to send our best trary opinion. In these situa- refereeing a call before you wishes to Ciaran O Brien and tions it is the grounds man's set out on your journey espe- Bernard Doyle and a speedy responsibility and we should cially if you are refereeing recovery from recent illnesses. not get involved. The only quite a distance away. All club authority a referee has is to contact numbers can be found PAGE 2 cancel a match if in his opin- in the hand book or on the GO WHISTLE IRFU NATIONAL CONFERENCE REPORT July 27th/28th 2007 saw the where Dave McHugh was the scrum half prior to a match. annual IRFU referee confer- prosecution and then retiring ence in Belvedere RFC. The to refresh ourselves at Paddy AIL referees come together to Cullens hostelry. An interesting exercise was to discuss the recent season, show clips of foul play spotted possible upcoming law by a Touch Judge. The room changes, focus points on the 9.00am Saturday saw every- would view the clip with no #’Kevin Beggs upcoming season as well as one reappear and the seminar sound and some one would be reports from the the dreaded 150 fitness test. kicked off with Owen Doyle picked out to give a TJ report We w ere fortunate to have in from the IRFU going over to either Alan Lewis or Alain recent IRFU attendance on the Saturday points of clarity that have Rolland who had turned their National Alan Lewis and Alain Rolland been raised by the various back to the screen. It really who gave their input and unions. There are no new law showed how critical it is to Conference for opinions on a range of issues. changes being introduced this give the correct information Referees’ season, however one clarifica- to the referee in a manner tion was to ensure players are which is calm and descriptive Friday night was the fitness penalised for diving over play- and yet uses the right termi- test. Forty five of Irish rugbys ers on the ground in front of nology which indicates to the finest whistlers arrived, how- them in order to reach the referee the severity of the ever only about thirty one ball which has either just offence. I think every one in were kitted out to complete emerged from a ruck on the the room learned something the test. The rest managed a ground, or is still in the oppo- from this exercise. wide range of excuses and did site players hands. A player the marking duties. For those may come from his own side not aware of the test it con- as long as this player stays on Proceedings were brought to sists of a shuttle sprint with his feet and is on side. a conclusion at about 3.00pm cones marked out at five, ten, and left us all raring to go in fifteen, twenty, and twenty what will be a busy World five metres. The participant Simon McDowell then con- Cup year with the Heineken has to run back and forwards ducted a Television Match Cup, Magners League and flat out for thirty seconds, Official over view. The AIL vying for everyones at- rest for thirty and then repeat Magners League this season tention. By the way, I hear the exercise. This happens six will have a TMO in operation the All Blacks have booked a times and in the space of six and it was interesting hearing spare seat on their plane back minutes everyone was re- how the system operates to New Zealand on October duced to mere shells of their around the world. Also on the for someone called William former selves. The rest of the agenda for the day was Alain Webb Ellis…….I’m off to night was spent at dinner, Rolland discussing the way he Paddy Powers. addresses the front row and attending the court session Kevin Beggs (A dreamer) REFEREE PROFILE Name: Stephen McCann Notes: Matches of note 2006 rees from around Leinster in Dunne cup final, 2006 jnr dev coming issues so if you local rep Date of Birth: 24 /11/1978 cup final 2007 snr schools 2nds asks please give your full sup- Club: Newbridge cup final, 2007 counties S/F— port.