Clancy Joins IRB International Referee Panel

Bruff RFC’s George Clancy has become the latest Irish member of the World Elite Panel of Referees, joining Alain Rolland and Alan Lewis on the International Referee Panel.

This year George Clancy has had a very successful season in the Heineken Cup, this followed on from last year when he refereed England Saxons and the New Zealand Maori in the Barclays Churchill Cup final.

Commenting on the IRB’s latest panel member, Owen Doyle, who is the IRFU Director of Referee Development, said: "This is indeed a very proud moment for Irish rugby. George has worked tremendously hard on his game and it is just reward for him to receive this accolade.

"We are delighted to have three referees on the IRB Referee Panel and we are sure George will have a very successful career ahead."

George himself said: "I am really delighted to be selected on the International Referee Panel. It is the ultimate honour to reach this level and I would like to thank Owen Doyle and the Referee Development Department for their assistance over the years in helping me fulfil my ambition.

"The development structures that are in place have helped me progress through the ranks to where I am now."

George will begin his summer appointments with the glamour fixture between England and the Barbarians in Twickenham before jetting out to South Africa to referee the Springboks’ summer Test against Italy.

Having started refereeing in September 2000, George has gone onto to referee at the U-19 RWC 2005 (South Africa) and the U-21 RWC 2006 (France). To date he has officiated at the Uruguay v USA World Cup qualifier, over a dozen Heineken Cup games, two Challenge Cup quarter finals, as well as the last game in Lansdowne Road- Leinster v Ulster in front of a capacity crowd. At a national level he has refereed the inaugural AIB Cup (2006), the U-20 AIL final (2004), and the AIL Division 3 Final (2005). In 2007 he refereed the Churchill Cup Final in Twickenham. He has also refereed the Heineken Munster Junior Cup (2003), the Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup (2005 & 2008) and Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Junior Cup Finals (2007). Other highlights would include touch judging at major internationals including Scotland v New Zealand, England v The Barbarians, and Wales v Argentina (2007). He was also the TMO for France v England in the Six Nations this season. Last season George was the winner of the inaugural Referee of the Year award and was presented with his award at the Munster Rugby Awards dinner. From Bruff in Co. Limerick, George is a former player with Bruff RFC and is still very much involved with the club.

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