Clonduff Referee, John Anthony Gribben or John A as he is often called started refereeing way back in 1971 and he was still going strong in 2006 – 35 years later. He cut back somewhat in 2007 due to injury but still turns out when the need arises in 2008. John A has refereed Football, Hurling, Camogie and Ladies Football at various levels from underage and junior, through to senior and has been an inter-county referee in one code or another since 1974. He has taken charge of McCrory Cup (Ulster Colleges Football) and Mageen Cup (Ulster Colleges Hurling); Ulster Senior Club Football and Hurling finals. He has refereed National Football and Hurling league games including the Division 3 Final in 2001 as well as All Ireland underage and Junior Hurling Championship finals, having opted for Hurling after Croke Park insisted that inter-county referees had to choose one or the other!
In 2001 when Clonduff formed the Ladies Football Club John A became, not only involved with managing the Ladies at Club level but also became involved with the County Board taking on the role of Referees Appointments Secretary.
