A note on last weekend's tragic events & details of upcoming fixtures
Last weekend’s tragic events & upcoming fixtures
As many will now be aware, Hertfordshire’s All Britain Junior Championship game against Lancashire last weekend in Watford was cut short by the tragic and untimely passing of referee Mattie Maher. The Hertfordshire GAA County Board wish again to express our deepest condolences to his wife Denise and children Ciara and Matthew, his extended family and friends, and to all those across the GAA - in Britain, Ireland and beyond - affected by his passing.
Saturdays events – the circumstances of which do not need detailing further here – will also have been traumatic for those players, staff and supporters present, as well as for the wider community. We would encourage clubs to be on the look out for members’ wellbeing and to offer support where it is needed. We would also like to acknowledge the commendable efforts of those players who reacted quickly and attended to Mattie on the field, the emergency services for their swift arrival and best efforts, and to Glen Rovers of Watford whose facilities and equipment enabled the medical professionals to work unimpeded. We are simply full of sorrow that these efforts did not lead to a better outcome.
As the many tributes to Mattie attest, he was a man committed to the GAA, volunteering his time generously and handling himself with integrity and wit. Referees fulfil a critical – but sometimes thankless – role in our sports and the success of our Association depends on their time, energy and dedication. Let this tragic incident serve to remind us of how important our referees, umpires and officials are and to appreciate the spirit that Mattie epitomised.
Last weekend’s sporting contest understandably pales in significance in light of the events that ultimately took place. Nevertheless, the competition will continue and the Provincial Council has informed us that the game versus Lancashire will now be rearranged for Saturday 7th May in Watford, with a throw-in time still to be confirmed. This means that Hertfordshire Senior Football League fixtures scheduled for that weekend will likely be rearranged. This Saturday (30th April), the Hertfordshire County team are scheduled to travel to Leeds to play against Yorkshire GAA and, after consultation with the playing panel, this fixture will go ahead. A minute’s silence will be held in memory of Mattie Maher ahead of throw-in.
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