Fergal Horgan has quit inter-county refereeing and, in a parting shot, blasted the appointments system, describing it as a “farce”.
The Tipperary official took charge of the 2017, ‘20 and ‘21 All-Ireland hurling finals but said that he felt Munster referees in particular are “not getting a fair crack of the whip” with match appointments.
He also claimed that some referees had been chosen by Croke Park’s Central Referees Appointments Committee to take charge games of late despite their fitness being an issue.
Speaking on Tipperary Mid-West Radio, he said: "It's disappointing from my point of view. I've worked hard over the past few years and haven't got the appointments from Croke Park that I thought I should have got.
"No one has a right to get any match I suppose but in the last few weeks, we've seen referees getting appointments that didn't pass the fitness test. That's not going down well with referees."
Horgan said that he had made his feelings known to the appointments committee but got no response, although he clarified that GAA referees manager Donal Smyth has responded to him in one instance.
And because of what he cites as a lack of support, he says he wouldn’t encourage aspiring referees to pick up a whistle.
He added: "I did love refereeing. But I couldn't see why anyone would take up refereeing, unfortunately.
“I would personally say it to anyone who would ask me, no, definitely not. At the top level you get no support.
"I'm 100% finished. I'm at ease now. I got no contact from Croke Park in the last few weeks and that just shows me where I stand in their community and my family comes first. I'm delighted to walk away with my achievements in tact but I would say to anyone that I'm disappointed with the way I was treated and I wouldn't recommend it to anybody.
"There is no support there for referees and I couldn't see why anybody would referee in the future. There is no one treated fairly.”
READ NEXT:
Bohs go six clear as Declan Devine makes happy return to Derry City
Paul Townend shines on I Am Maximus to win first Boylesports Irish Grand National
Ken Doherty comes up short in World Championship qualification bid
Rachael Blackmore recovered from two falls to ride in Irish Grand National
Rory McIlroy withdraws from RBC Heritage after Masters disappointment
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
