Sean Gallagher is to start a new career as a full-time match official.

Gallagher accepts offer to become full-time referee

Sean Gallagher from Navan is included in a list of seven match officials who have accepted contracts from the IRFU to be full-time referees. 

Gallagher is a member of Navan RFC and took up refereeing in 2005. Having spent a number of years teaching in Leinster, Gallagher joined the IRFU in 2015 as a referee development officer in Connacht.

He picked up the IRFU Young Referee of the Year award in 2009 and has continued to progress steadily up the ranks, officiating in the British and Irish Cup, the Guinness PRO14, the European Challenge Cup and this year's Women's Rugby World Cup.

"We are all delighted in the club on Sean's achievements to-date and are optimistic he will achieve his am of officiating in a Six Nation's match," added President of Navan RFC Gerry Williamson.