Munster Association of Referees

🗣️Guess Who's back🗣️ After the summer break, some of our referees have been back in action across the levels, from Underage to Adult, and being involved as the Irish Women's team began their World Cup Warm Up 💪 #HaveABlast | #BestSeatInTheHouse | #MunsterStartsHere | #GreenWave

Have A Blast! 📢 Come to our New Referee course this September and kick-off your refereeing journey. 🏉 #HaveABlast | #BestSeatInTheHouse | #SUAF 🔴

Come join the MAR for the new season. Help us get referees into matches across the province 🏉🏉🏉

Congratulations to the 12 members announced on the National Panel for the 2025/26 season. Special mention to Fergal Brislane being added to the Panel for the first time. A note also on Kevin Coffey, John Lillis, Paudie Sheehan & Paul O’Connor being promoted a level.

Huge congrats the MARs Leo Colgan who has been selected as a TMO for the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup. Go well to Leo and to all the officials. irishrugby.ie/2025/05/15/mat… #munsterreferee #bestseatinthehouse #HaveaBlast

This medal recognises a lifetime of service, and few embodied that spirit more than Eamonn - referee, mentor, fixtures secretary, president, and lifelong servant of the game. A fitting tribute to a man whose legacy continues to shape rugby in Munster and beyond. #Rugby #IRFU

Eamonn’s son Tony accepted the award on his behalf, with his wife Madeline proudly attending the ceremony.

At the AIL finals day Eamonn Murray was posthumously awarded the IRFU’s Services to Rugby medal - one of the Union’s highest honours, celebrating outstanding contributions to the game at all levels.

Go well to Andy Brace & Eoghan Cross who officiate for todays Champions Cup semi final between Stade Toulousain & Union Bordeaux-Bègles. Christophe Ridley and Mike Adamson complete the officiating team. #bestseatinthehouse #munstereferees #haveablast

Congratulations to MAR members Andy Brace, Eoghan Cross & Olly Hodges on their Summer International appointments #munsterreferees #bestseatinthehouse #haveablast

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝗯𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 🏉 Over 30 female match officials from across Ireland’s four provinces gathered at Kingspan Stadium recently to participate in Female Match Official Workshop and Networking Day. Find out more on becoming a rugby referee in Ireland: bit.ly/4ccCbP5 ⬅️ #HaveABlast #IrishRugby

MEET THE REF In our weekly Meet the Ref features meet Ian Coll. Ian is Self Employed in Maintenance Chemical Distribution. His club is @Shannon_RFC. He is in his 6th season with the MAR. #munsterreferees #bestseatinthehouse #HaveABlast

They attended the W6N match between Ireland & France and had a meet & greet with Hollie Davidson. #MAR #IRFU #WomenInRugby #RefereeDevelopment #MunsterRugby #MatchOfficials

It was a valuable day of learning, networking, and skill-building — and a great step forward in supporting women in officiating at all levels of the game.

Women’s Officials Development Day Members of the Munster Association of Referees attended the Women’s Officials Development Day this weekend, hosted by the IRFU in Kingspan Stadium.

John hit some significant milestones this weekend. The final will be his 150th fixture for the MAR. John also completed his 50th fixture as a TJ yesterday when he was on the line for UCC vs QUB in AIL Division 1B. #munsterreferees #bestseatinthehouse #haveablast

APPOINTMENT Go well to John Purcell who is in the middle for the Men’s Junior Challenge Cup final today between Richmond and Thomond. ARs are Ian Coll & William Gorman.

Off the pitch, Ed has been a constant source of guidance and support, always putting the betterment of the MAR first. A true clubman in every sense. #munsterreferees #haveablast #bestseatinthehouse

Uniquely after yesterday’s game he now has the honour of having refereed every single club in the AIL — a testament to his dedication and love for the game.

Yesterday marked the end of an era as Eddie Hogan O’Connell took charge of his final AIL game — Monkstown v Omagh.