Also known for his contributions on “The Square D” GAA tactics and analysis podcast with Stephen O’Meara, Galvin has included at least 10 items on the agenda including the proposal of withdrawing services from any club who routinely abuse referees.

The creation of a referee feedback portal is expected to be endorsed. “The objective of this portal is to ultimately triangulate clubs who repeatedly intimidate, abuse or threaten referees,” Galvin wrote to referees. “This is inclusive of players, mentors and partisans.

“Offending clubs will be issued with advisories and further breaches will lead to withdrawal of member services to specific clubs for a fixed period of time. Currently, there are no real deterrents in place…” 

In a recent straw poll conducted by Galvin online, there was unanimous support for striking in the event that a fellow referee is assaulted. Last month, Dublin match official Barry Tiernan was pushed in the back by a non-playing Tullamore footballer following the club’s Leinster Club SFC Round 1 game against Summerhill in O’Connor Park and his 96-week suspension later cut by the province’s hearings committee to 24.

Among the other items are the €40 per game match fee. “This has not been reviewed in several years,” writes Galvin. “In light of modern inflation and cost of living crisis should this be addressed and what is a reasonable rate? Also, are members willing to withdraw services unless negotiation on this matter takes place?” 

Galvin also seeks opinion on the development pathway for young referees. “Is there a clear and transparent pathway? Perception of a golden circle club at the top table.” 

The need for physical and mental support services for referees as well as providing a voice for them in the national media as a means of “changing the perception of the modern GAA referee” is also listed. Galvin has also been asked to rise the idea of referee wearing recording microphones during games.

Eleven years ago, Clonmel-based Alan Nash formed the Gaelic Match Officials Association on the back of several referees being assaulted at club games. The group’s first president was Ray Matthews who quit refereeing when the Ulster Council reduced bans proposed by the Antrim County Board to St Mary’s, Rasharkin arising from an U21 football game in Ballymena in 2011.

Matthews was hospitalised having been struck at the fixture and later admitting fearing for his life. He returned to refereeing three years ago but was fully supportive of an all-island strike last year in the wake of Roscommon match official Kevin Naughton being assaulted in an U17 game in Ballyforan. The county’s referees withdrew their services to protest at what their colleague Naughton was subjected to.

In April of this year, Kilkenny referees quit a weekend’s fixtures also in a show of solidarity with one who had received an abusive letter.