Tributes have been paid to a referee who died over the weekend after falling ill while officiating a match in Watford.

The London County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) said it is "extremely saddened" to report the death of Mattie Maher.

Mr Maher had been refereeing a game on Saturday (April 23) at Glen Rovers' ground in Radlett Road when he fell ill.

The GAA posted on its Facebook page that Mr Maher passed away while en route to hospital.

In a tribute on social media, the London GAA said: "Mattie, a prominent referee in the county and known to all involved in any way with GAA in London, was a larger than life character.

"He had refereed numerous county finals in recent years, a clear indication of how valued he was and had become a popular figure among players and spectators alike.

"Mattie was also an esteemed club delegate at county board meetings, and frequently contributed to varied discussion on important GAA matters...often wrapping things up with a witty, tongue-in-cheek remark."

The post continued: "But above all the Tipperary native was a family man, who often had his two beloved children alongside him on his way into the grounds for matches.

"It is them, his wife Denise that the board wish to pass on their most heartfelt condolences to at this desperately sad time."

Glen Rovers Football Club were among numerous clubs to take to social media to pay their respects.

A post read: "Everyone at Glen Rovers is deeply saddened by the loss of Mattie Maher who took ill at our pitch yesterday and sadly passed away on route to the hospital.

"All of our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, children and family at this sad time. RIP Mattie."

The rest of the London GAA matches scheduled to take place over the weekend were postponed as a mark of respect to Mr Maher.