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IRFU Referees Continue To Progress Through The Ranks

As IRFU referees continue to progress on both the domestic and international fronts, the National Referee Panels for the 2015/16 season have been confirmed.

In April George Clancy and John Lacey were announced as part of the 12-member panel that will officiate at this year’s Rugby World Cup.

Former Old Crescent player and Belgian Sevens and 15-a-side international Andy Brace has continued to progress and has gained promotion onto the Guinness PRO12 panel.

Gary Conway is currently in action at the World Rugby U-20 Championships in Italy, which is seen as an ideal development tournament for referees as well as players.

Women’s RBS 6 Nations and Women’s World Cup semi-final referee Helen O’Reilly and former Munster, Leicester Tigers and Connacht scrum half Frank Murphy have both been promoted onto the IRFU’s ‘A’ panel for the forthcoming season.

Former Ireland Women’s international and Grand Slam winner, Joy Neville, has also been added to the ‘B’ panel, having successfully come through IPAS (Inter Provincial Appointments System).

IRFU Director of Referees Owen Doyle commented: “It is pleasing to note the progress of a number of individuals through the system this season.

“At international level we continue to be very well represented at the top professional tournaments and there is a strong pipeline of emerging referees who will hopefully also aspire to the very highest levels of the game.”

NATIONAL REFEREE PANELS – 2015/16 SEASON:

Contracted –
Level 1
G Clancy, J Lacey, P Fitzgibbon, D Phillips.

Level 2
A Brace, D Wilkinson, G Conway.

Level 3
K Barry, S Gallagher, L Colgan, E Hogan O’Connell, N Correll, M Patton, S Gaffikin.

‘A’ Panel
D Blake, M Connolly, P Haycock, S Kierans, W O’Connor, J Carvill, S Douglas, O Hodges, B MacNeice, H O’Reilly, D Collins, J Erskine, K Imbusch, F Murphy, J Peak, K Collins, G Glennon, R Kerr, B O’Connell, O Quinn.

‘B’ Panel
C Busby, D Flood, P Martin, B O’Keeffe, G Sheridan, J Cairns, C Harrington, J Neville, R O’Sullivan, T Townend, B Deighan, C Hogan, T O’Donoghue, A Reavey, R Watson, G Finn, D Horner.