John Gough (referee)

John Gough (born 1937)[1] is a former Gaelic football referee, who also officiated at hurling matches. He is a member of the St John's club in County Antrim.

John Gough
Personal information
Born1937 (age 85–86)
Years activec. 1980s–1997
EmployerGAA
Sport
SportGaelic football
PositionReferee
ClubSt John's

Career

Gough took charge of the 1983 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, contested by Dublin and Galway.[2] He sent four players off.[3]

The Irish Times reported afterwards: "The referee, John Gough, found himself in a horrid situation, and though he brought his authority to bear on some of the worst incidents of misconduct many of his decisions were mystifying and brought the ire of both sides down upon his head. Four players were sent to the line, the largest exodus in a final in recent times: three were dismissed between Galway and Kerry in 1965, two of them Kerry players".[4] Gough talked to the media before the game and gave his opinions on the teams and this made Croke Park ask referrers not to talk anymore from 1984 championship onwards.[5]

A St Johns man, Gough refereed the 1985 All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship final. He refereed the final of the Ulster Senior Football Championship, the final of the National Football League final and the final of the Sigerson Cup. He was linesman for several All-Ireland finals in football and hurling.[6]

He got the 1983 final when he was 45, gave up his whistle when he was 60 in 1997 and was national tutor and accessor of referees.[1]

References
  1. McCann, Ryan (31 July 2015). "Gough says northern referees haven't been at required level". The Irish News. Archived from the original on 24 March 2022.
  2. O'Sullivan, Jim (16 November 2006). "Former official Gough says current ref standards are best ever". Irish Examiner.
  3. Dunne, Alex (9 August 2018). "Former Dublin boss Paul Caffrey remembers 1983 All-Ireland Final as the '12 Apostles' overcame Galway".
  4. Downey, Paddy (16 September 2009). "FROM THE ARCHIVE ALL-IRELAND FOOTBALL FINAL, SEPTEMBER 18TH, 1983: PADDY DOWNEY reported on 'one of the worst but also one of the most remarkable football finals ever played'". The Irish Times.
  5. Breheny, Martin (8 September 2021). "Pressure is on referee Joe McQuillan to steer Mayo-Tyrone All-Ireland final through various battles of will". Irish Independent.
  6. "History". St John's GAA (Antrim).
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