Archived Stories
Disciplinary Committee
Des (Maxi) Mc Cabe (Chairman). 086 8527394
Brendan Lynch 087 7994605
Brian O Neill 0862561216
Jerome Counihan 0872572642
Brian Pender 0872582299
Procedure to follow if sending off occurs at match
Sending off form to Branch with 24hrs (Forms download from web site)
If clarification sought no matter how small you may think contact Chairman or committee member.
Your attendance will be required at hearing if incident is of a serious nature. Please check with Chairman.
You will represented at hearing by Hon Sec Branch
You will not questioned by offending parties involved.
Regards
Alfie Acheson A.R.L.B
Hon Secretary
Summer Conditioning
We have just uploaded a Pre Season Conditioning Session that can be used for ARLB referess. This can found in the document store or by clicking the following link
ARLB Annual Dinner Pictures
C.FINANE (KUKRI SPORTS) N.CAMIER PRES ARLB
D.HEALY PRES IRFU M.KIRBY SUBARU IRL N.CAMIER PRES ARLB
Click Here to view More Images
Tony Redmond in America
Read all about Tony Redmond officiating at the World Trophy at the Witter Field in the University of California campus in Berkeley.
Click Here for More Info
Well Done on Bingham Cup
The Bingham Cup took place in DCU sports arena on the 13th, 14 th & 15th June. It could only be described as a unique event and will last in the memory of the members of the ARLB who took part.
The competition was divided into 4 sections Cup, Bowl, Plate and Shield with a total of 33 teams. The standard of rugby started at J1 down to J 4.
The finals were refereed by
Cup Robert Doyle. Winners Sydney Convicts 1
Bowl Brendan Conroy. Winners Atlanta Bucks
Plate Martin Dunne. Winners. World Barbarians
Shield Chris Reynolds. Winners Ulster Titans
Over 300 people watched the Cup final and as this was Robert's last adult game of rugby he went out on a high
To all the referees take a bow, the high level of refereeing in all sections of the competition was the topic of conversation over the weekend. It was good to hear praise from our Australian and English friends. On the Saturday morning we went to the local pub to watch the Australian V Ireland test match and I can tell you there was some atmosphere
A special word of thanks to Brian Cullen. 25 coaching reports over the 3 days and also to our senior referees David, Peter, Ken, John and Robert for their help and support given to our young referees. A total of 38 ARLB members, one member of MAR and four guest referees officiated and with the high numbers we had we could select a team of 3 for all matches and a team of 5 for the finals. The amount of enjoyment and fun had by all the referees was great to see and if a lesson must be learned it is that more events of such like should be organised. What a weekend of rugby. To Dorothy Collins and Dermot O Mahony of the Leinster Branch thank you for your help and support and to Dorothy thank you very much for your kind gesture on Sunday evening. Peter enjoyed his Sex on the Beach ????? and the lads enjoyed the Pints.
Check out all the action here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/leinsterrugbyreferees
Alfie Acheson
Director of Referees
Presidents Corner
During last season we issued a Questionnaire to all members of the ARLB and the response was excellent. One of the topics raised was communications and with that in mind we decided to issue a Newsletter every second month. Danny, Robert and Alfie have kindly agreed to run with it and it is hoped to issue it every second month with the next edition to be published early August. Please give them your full support. Feedback is important and your contribution to future editions very welcome.
You can find the results of the questionnaire by clicking here and as promised at the time all the people who responded would be put into a draw and the winner to get a meal voucher for €100. I am pleased to announce the winner is Paul Beggy.
Another item to emerge from the questionnaire was the need for summer fitness programs. It is hoped to have something up on the website on that shortly. I would encourage all active referees to have some program and plan in place.
May I take this opportunity to thank Rev Dermot Murray who was responsible for publication of our original newsletter. Dermot has moved to back to Munster and we in the ARLB wish him well
To all members enjoy the summer and let's get ready for the season ahead.
Norman .
Norman Camier - Presidents Address 2007/08
Link to Presidents Address Here
Teams of Three for Powerade Leinster Schools Senior and Junior Final
Schools Senior Final : Alan Rogan (Referee) Kevin Beggs (TJ) Paul Haycock (Sub Referee)
Schools Junior Final: Barry O'Keefe (Referee) Kevin Beggs (Sub Referee) John Montayne (TJ)
Paddy Power Step up to The Plate for The Gay Rugby World Cup
Paddy Power bookmakers has stepped up to the plate to become title sponsor of The Bingham Cup, Dublin 2008. The bid to host the cup was won last year by Dublin team, The Emerald Warriors against stiff competition from Paris and Cup Holders, Sydney.
At an event in The Front Lounge in Dublin hosted by Paddy Power and MC’d by Barry Murphy of ‘Apres Match’, Paddy Power expressed his delight with the partnership: “It’s a real honour to associate ourselves with what will be the biggest sports event to be held in Ireland next year. It is also the biggest ever commercial sponsorship of an Irish gay-focussed event and we are really looking forward to working with the lads to ensure that the 2008 Bingham will be biggest and most successful yet”
Commenting on the sponsorship, Richie Whyte, Tournament Director said: “Paddy Power have an innovative and risk taking approach to the market. We are delighted that they see the Bingham Cup as a good fit for them both in terms of its sporting potential and public profile. The Bingham Cup Dublin will be both the largest amateur XVs rugby tournament held in the country in 15 years and the biggest international gay-oriented event ever held in Ireland. Having an international brand such as such as Paddy Power throwing their weight behind it represents a huge development for the tournament particularly in terms of developing mainstream interest. We expect our partnership to enhance an already great tournament and help to make it the biggest and best tournament yet.”
The Bingham Cup is the second largest biennial amateur 15s rugby tournament in the world. The 2006 cup which took place in New York was the biggest yet. Thirty teams drawn from clubs around the world competed in the three day tournament. The Dublin tournament is expected to exceed these figures with over 600 participants already registered for the competition.
Chief Executive of The Irish Rugby Football Union, Philip Browne said: "The IRFU are delighted to be associated with the Emerald Warriors in hosting the Bingham Cup, which is fast becoming one of the largest international amateur 15-a-side rugby tournaments in the world. The Tournament Director and Organising Committee are to be congratulated on bringing this tournament to Ireland and also on securing an international brand, Paddy Power, as the title sponsor for the tournament. Given the professional manner in which they have approached the Tournament to date, the event is sure to be a big success."
The competition will take place at the DCU Sports Complex, Dublin in June 12th – 15th 2008.
For further information and media access contact Nick Costello, publicity@binghamcup2008.com +353 87 2263 466
Rolland referees final
Irishman Alain Rolland refereed the IRB Rugby World Cup final at Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Saturday, 20 October.
Congratulation from all your collegues at the ARLB. Well done!
Frank Anderson R.I.P.
It is with deep regret that the rugby world learnt of the death on Tuesday morning of Frank Anderson. A life member of both Athy Rugby Club (where he served in many positions including President) and The Association of Referees Leinster Branch (ARLB) Frank started playing when he was a schoolboy in Kilkenny College. He was involved in many successful campaigns with his beloved Athy before taking up the whistle.
His status in the ARLB is iconic; after a lengthy refereeing career he proved to be equally adept as an administrator where he nurtured and encouraged many of his successors. Frank was the first North Midlands Area referee’s representative and he established a blueprint in that role that is still used to this day.
Along with his brother Les they donated the Anderson Cup, which is still a most prized trophy in provincial rugby circles.
He was a stalwart of Athy RFC throughout his life where he is still held in the highest esteem and was pre-deceased by his loving wife Sylvia. ...Leinster Rugby would like to extend its sympathy to his daughters Valerie and Jill, his brother Les, the rest of his extended family as well as to his many friends in Athy RFC and throughout the wider rugby community...
The removal on Wednesday evening from Rigney’s Funeral Home, Athy at 6:15pm to arrive in Athy Presbyterian Church at 7pm.
Burial on Thursday in St Michael’s Cemetery following a 1pm funeral service.
ARLB Reception
A reception was held in City West Hotel Saggart on the 12th December when the Association of Referees Leinster Branch made presentations to its members who had officiated at the Rugby World Cup 2007 in France. An attendance of over 120 indicated the high esteem the recipients are held in by all members of the Association.
Irish Silverware presentations were made to John West, Match Citing Commissioner as well as to referees Alan Lewis and Alain Rolland, who had the distinction of refereeing the Final. The President of the Association Norman Camier thanked the wives of the members present for their help and understanding in order that the lads were able to fulfil their appointments. He placed on record the excellent work done by the Leinster Branch and I.R.F.U. referees department. Owen Doyle, Tom Aplin and David Keane received a special work of thanks.
Exit Strategy
The recruitment and training of referees has always been the number one priority of the A.R.L.B. However since last season we have set another goal for ourselves hence the introduction of the exit strategy for referees like myself who are near the end of active refereeing and would like to stay involved are been asked by the A.R.L.B. to start coaching or accessing at whatever level they are comfortable with and hopefully progress to a higher level.
For the benefit of all there are now new assessments form, which are simple to fill out and not too time consuming. This does not debar anyone from continuing to referee at some level. So if you think you fit into this category and can give two or three afternoons a month then please contact Jerome Counihan at 0872572642. A new coach / assessors course will be held in early November.
Updated Documents
Bertie Smiths Presentation made at this years ARLB conference in August along with Steve Griffiths presentation on Assertivness have both been place in the document store
To View Document Store Click here
Seminar Dates
All Members, The dates for all the Area Seminars are now fixed. Your attendance is requested at your Area meetings, if you cannot attend on the night I would ask you to try and attend the next meeting in the other areas if possible. A record of attendance will be kept by the Area reps and will used in selection meeting.
Alfie Acheson ARLB
To Download the Dates Click here
Subs in Leagues 07/08
With the various leagues commencing over the coming weeks this is just a reminder to all clubs that the number of replacements has not changed since last season.
J1 Metro League and Leinster League Div 1, 2 & 3 – Name 5 subs, play 5 subs
J2 Metro League, and Provincial Seconds Div 1, 2 & 3 – Name 3 subs, play 3 subs
Leinster J3 League – Name 3 subs, play 3 subs
Leinster J4 League – Name 6 subs, play 6 subs
Law Rulings Document
We have placed a single document with all the 2007/2006 law rulings. They make interesting reading so don't hesitate in downloading. To have a look Click Here
Info on Unplayable Grounds
Please be advised that in the event of a groundsman declaring a pitch unplayable, referees have no responsibility or authority to offer a contrary opinion.
In these situations it is the groundsman's responsibility and we should not get involved. The only authority a referee has is to cancel a match if in his opinion; the ground is in an unsafe condition.
Honorary Secretary
ARLB
Seminar this August
At this stage the summer seems endless and matters refereeing seem part of another world. But behind the scenes work is well advanced on getting a top presentation in place for Sunday, August 19. The venue is Old Belvedere R.F.C. and registration is scheduled for 9.15.am. Our President has already done a considerable amount of prepatory work and the shape of the day is now emerging. To find out more click here
Law Titbits
A memo has gone out from Paddy O'Brien, the International Rugby Board's refereeing manager, on practical matters regarding the application of the Laws of the Game. This includes the new law on the engagement procedure at scrums.
The referee to make the mark for the scrum and when teams are assembling he is to call CROUCH. Both teams are to form in the Crouch position immediately after this call. The Referee may then call TOUCH PAUSE Simultaneously. (Please note he is not to say "Touch and Pause" but must stick to the law of "TOUCH PAUSE"). Once the referee is satisfied that the touch has been completed satisfactorily then he will call ENGAGE.
Get busy practicing and discuss it on the website.
Terry Doyle - Presidents Address 2006/07
Link to Presidents address Here
Scrum Law - As and from January 1 st 2007
Law 20.1 (h)
The referee will call “crouch” then “touch”. The front rows crouch and using their outside arm each prop touches the point of the opposing prop's outside shoulder. The props then withdraw their arms. The referee will then call “pause”. Following a pause the referee will then call “engage”. The front rows may then engage. The “engage” call is not a command but an indication that the front rows may come together when ready'
IRFU Note:
CROUCH – TOUCH – PAUSE – ENGAGE
Following the ‘TOUCH', the props are required to withdraw their arms:
In this action, the arms should be moved outwards or backwards to a pre-engage position. The arms should not be lowered.
This information, with video clips, is available on the IRFU web-site. (It is also on www.irb.com )
Ham Lambert- An Appreciation
Harry Ardill- An Appreciation