Eóin Harte and Trevor Cotter gear up for FAI Cup final appearance

IT may be an all-Dublin decider in this year's FAI Cup final as Bohs take on St Pat's this Sunday in the Aviva however two Cork men will share the pitch as Eóin Harte and Trevor Cotter will be part of the officiating panel.

"It's a big day for me personally and I am delighted to share it with Trevor as we have worked together on games for many years and are good friends," said Harte. "I have been appointed as one of the Assistant Referees and it is a huge honour to be selected as one of the officials for your country’s national final.

"For the 2020 FAI Senior Cup Final, I was the reserve assistant referee, and it was great to be involved in the day and I expect it to be another great occasion on Sunday. While I have been lucky to be appointed to other big games over the years within FAI and UEFA competitions, I would consider my appointment to this year’s Senior Cup Final as my biggest."

It has been seven years since Harte first officiated on the League of Ireland panel but his refereeing career started in 2009 when he found a love for it while in secondary school.

"I completed the FAI Referee Beginner’s Course at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa in August 2009 and I started refereeing in the Cork Schoolboy’s League the week after that. At the time, each club in Cork was asked to put forward two people to complete the beginners course and I was one of the two who went from my local club Innishvilla AFC. 

"Over the years, I have been a referee across all the leagues in Cork. During 2015 and 2016, I completed the FAI Referee School of Excellence programme. In February 2016, I was invited to the League of Ireland Elite Referee Panel. 

PROGRESS

"During 2017, I completed UEFA’s Centre of Refereeing Excellence Programme and this has provided me with opportunities to officiate at UEFA competitions at home and abroad. At the beginning of 2023, I was selected as one of the assistant referees from Ireland on the FIFA international list. So it's been a constant progression through the years which I'm obviously proud of.

"I have officiated as an assistant referee at all levels; Men’s Premier Division, Men’s First Division, Women’s Premier Division, FAI Cup Competitions and the Underage Leagues. It has been brilliant to get the experience at so many different levels because there is something to be learned from every game and every level which I will hopefully take into the game on Sunday.

I have been lucky to work with all of the elite referees on the League of Ireland panel over the years which has provided great learning experiences. 

"Given where I am located, I worked a lot with the former and current Cork Elite Panel Referees including Anthony Buttimer, Graham Kelly, David Keeler, Jason Mannix and Kevin O’Sullivan which has always been great."

It may have started off as a hobby but Harte now finds himself dedicating at least 25 hours a week to football.

"Given that I started refereeing while still in secondary school, it has become a normal part of life at this stage and a core part of my weekly routine. My employer is supportive and understanding which is always a great help. In general, it is at least a 25-hour commitment per week. During the season, we follow a training plan that generally includes five to six sessions a week. One or two matches each weekend are typical. There are also some weekly tasks to complete online such as reviewing match footage and participating in meetings but I love it."

Cotter's previous experience of the cup final was going along to support his colleagues but now he gets the opportunity to be part of the day in a role once occupied by Harte.

"I'll be Reserve Assistant Referee on the day and the fact that Eóin has been in the Reserve Assistant role before on cup final day, I can pick up a few pointers from him," said Cotter."

Cotter began refereeing when his wife saw an advertisement for the beginners' course, probably because they were both fed up with him picking up so many injuries as a player. So while it's a hectic schedule, Cotter is grateful to his wife for her continued support.

It's a serious juggling act with three kids, a full-time job and refereeing but I've been at it so long it's down to a fine art. 

"Someone always needs to be dropped to gymnastics, football, soccer, swimming or whatever. Having an understanding wife always helps. Work is flexible enough as well with time off so it's great to find that balance and I am really looking forward to this weekend."