Cavan referee, Maggie Farrelly has said that there is no doubt that verbal abuse and possibly minor physical abuse has happened at minor club grounds around the country.
Farrelly is the first woman in history to officiate in a men's inter-county game.
She believes that there is no place for abuse in Gaelic games, and that it puts a dampener on the whole game.
Farrelly said: "There is no doubt that a lot of abuse, particularly verbal, and maybe minor physical abuse, has happened at club grounds all over the country, in relation to a decision a referee has made.
"Referees only get a split second to decide on any sort of infraction, whether it's right or wrong, we only have the split second. For someone to get so heated about a decision, there is no place for it.
"It just puts a whole dampener on the competition, particularly for underage players, to witness that. To witness parents, and people they know in their communities getting involved in scuffles in the terraces is not the way forward.
"At national level, there is an official working group trying to come up with solutions and ideas, in relation to abuse, not just in Gaelic Games, but in abuse, and dealing with the challenges that referees and match officials incur.
"There is a bit of work being done, but as you alluded to, it is a societal issue, and a cultural issue," Farrelly added.
