Padraig Dunne on refereeing - and his decision to call it a day

Laois GAA Pick and Mix · Mar 4, 2026 · 43m

Over the past number of years, Padraig Dunne has become one of the most recognisable faces on the Laois GAA scene as a highly-regarded referee in both hurling and football.

Since taking up the whistle in 2018, he rose up through the ranks quickly, refereeing Laois senior hurling finals in 2020, 2023 and 2024. He was also on the inter-county panel and refereed three big games in Croke Park, including last year's Christy Ring Cup final.

But at 47 - and with an inter-county retirement age of 50 - his prospects of climbing higher up on the national ladder were limited. He was also not enjoying at…