Hurling: A top Galway hurling official has predicted a major crisis for the game in the county because of a shortage of referees.

Galway Hurling Board secretary John Fahey said they are "heading for meltdown" unless they make the recruitment of referees a top priority.

Fahey added that half of the 46 hurling clubs in the county do not have a referee. "A lot of good work has gone in to recruiting referees and that is why it is so disappointing half of the clubs in Galway have not managed to produce a referee.

"If we do not take action then the playing of our games will become a distant memory. We are heading for meltdown unless clubs make recruitment of referees a priority," he said.

Fahey said there are 38 referees certified and accredited in Croke Park, with 16 of them receiving their accreditation in 2005. "There has been progress but clubs need to realise games cannot be played without referees."