Referee James McGrath has resigned from the GAA’s Inter-County Referee Panel after he was snubbed for this month’s All-Ireland final between Galway and Limerick.
McGrath was favoured for the tie but was ultimately overlooked with James Owens of Wexford selected instead.
The Westmeath official refereed this year’s Munster final and the All-Ireland quarter-final between Kilkenny and Limerick but has now decided to resign from the referee’s panel citing a lack of trust, confidence and integrity by the Central Referees Appointments Committee.
Surprise as James Owens gets the nod ahead of James McGrath for All-Ireland final. #GAA
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) August 7, 2018
After 19 years officiating with James travelling the length & breadth of the country, I'd like to wish him all the best. While I am disappointed, I won't be involved anymore, I wholeheartedly agree with his decision to leave the National Referees Panel.
James McGrath Statement: pic.twitter.com/DGH0FDcJtb
— David Hennessy (@MrDavidHennessy) August 8, 2018
James McGrath has resigned from the GAA’s Inter-County Referee Panel. His disappointment at not being appointed to team of Officials to this years All Ireland Final is central to his decision. He spoke exclusively to RTE See RTE Online.@RTEgaa @RTERadio1 @TheSundayGame @rtenews
— Marty Morrissey (@MartyM_RTE) August 8, 2018
“I’m not your second choice nor your backup plan. Either choose me or lose me if I’m not your first choice,” McGrath wrote in a Facebook post.
“It is with a heavy heart that I make this decision but I feel my decision has ultimately been made by CRAC for me to resign from the national referees panel with immediate effect.
“It is final and irreversible given the lack of trust, confidence and integrity by CRAC and I feel betrayed by the association as a consequence given my 18 years of unbroken volunteerism to the association on the national refereees panel.
“I wish to place on record my thanks to all my umpires, David Hennessy, David Clune, Tom McNicholas, Johnny Fitzpatrick, Alan Coyne, Paul Reville, Jimmy Weldon, among others, and thank all the loyal GAA diehards that I became friends with since I commenced refereeing back in 1996 (Maynooth University), Leinster panel ‘98 & the National panel in 2000.
“Wishing James Owens & Johnny Murphy, referees and all officials the very best of luck in the minor and senior finals on Sunday, August 19th next.
“God Bless a chairde, thanks again for all your loyal support and good wishes.”
