Coaching / Refereeing Clinic

Left to right: Maurice Leahy, Thomas Queally, and Kevin Walsh

The weekend of April 8 to 10th 2005 saw the Western Division Board hosting a Refereeing and Coaching clinic held courtesy of the Munster Council. Theory sessions were held at the United Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco as well as practical sessions at Kezar Stadium and Beach Chalet Playing fields in Golden Gate Park.

The refereeing session was delivered by Kevin Walsh (Clare), Secretary of the Munster Council Refereeing Committee. Kevin had been in town all week and had already given a demonstration of his impressive refereeing skills the previous week during the St Patrick's Cup game between Ulster and the Sons of Boru. The football coaching session was delivered by Tomas Queally (Clare), and the hurling clinic was presented by Maurice Leahy (Kerry), the former Kerry senior hurler and full time Games Promotion Officer for the Kerry County Board.

Also in attendance was Simon Moroney, chairman of the Munster Council. Speaking after the clinic, Mr Moroney said that this sort of initiative was very high on the Munster Council's priority list and that they are committed to continuing to assist the North American Board in achieving self-sufficiency in the development of coaching and refereeing.

This very enjoyable and informative weekend was attended by people from Vancouver, Canada; Seattle; Vancouver, Washington; Portland, and San Diego.