A lifetime on and off the ball with the Cork Business League

They say you can’t have football without referees and how true that is. 

In my 47-year involvement with the Cork Business League, I had the opportunity to view the role as a player and then as a referee myself before moving on to my present position as the league PRO.

Within two years of joining Roches Stores, I was elected club secretary. It was my duty to pay the match fee which brought me into contact with many referees I got to know and respect throughout the early eighties and early nineties. 

The late Derry Barrett always offered words of encouragement and was a commanding figure. 

I remember him telling our goalkeeper Liam O’Callaghan where to position himself as a corner was about to be taken. Being a former League of Ireland number one himself with Evergreen United his advice would have been well heeded.

Other names who would have been prominent in the league in the 80’s included Eddie Mullins, Tony Hennessy, Rory O’Connor, Pat Corcoran, Denis Morley, Paddy O’Mahony, Connie Long, Con Dineen, Frank Hourigan, Michael Foley, Bill Killackey, Finbarr O’Sullivan and Kevin Coughlan.

As I pondered whether to finish up playing in my final season of 1991/92 and the team playing out of Garryduff my name was mentioned by Peter Gregson of CIE Athletic as a possible replacement for the non-availability of a referee to cover a league game between the two teams. 

Whether this twigged my interest to take the big step and actually apply for a beginners’ course or not, a year out from playing was enough for me to take the plunge and undertake the week-long course in Turner’s Cross under the direction of the then lead assessor, Frank Casey.

My abiding memory of Frank’s inspirational talk was that all 13 of us who sat the course might someday be in the middle of a Champions League Final! 

NERVES

In October 1993 I sat nervously in the second row of a packed Moore’s Hotel at my first branch meeting. 

It was a strange feeling to be now among a group I used to pay before matches but, receiving good wishes all around, I was put at ease. As we prepared to finish up Derry Barrett extended his hand to me with his phone number. A huge gesture I will never forget.

For the next seven years, I had the pleasure of officiating on the Cork Schoolboys’ and Youth Leagues, the Cork AUL and the Cork Business League. It was a fantastic experience in the whole making acquaintances with so many I still meet up with today at the annual functions at the Kiln Murphy’s Brewery. 

I was fortunate to have been assessed by some of the biggest names in refereeing including Seamus O’Donoghue, Eddie McGeough, Frank Casey, Billy Falvey and Keith Spoonley. In looking back my fitness, enthusiasm and personality got me through many games. 

However, it is only when you take up refereeing that you fully comprehend the skill experienced officials show in dealing with what Derry Barrett used to call 'kick, bollock and bite' games. 

A novel idea instigated by Billy Falvey which I benefited from hugely was the regular meetings in Turner’s Cross where your assessment would be read for others to offer advice on improving your game.

My involvement with the branch gave me the opportunity to research the careers of Derry Barrett, Sammy Spillane and Pat Kelly and put together a booklet for posterity. Having attained a grade two and with a young family and increasing work commitments, I took the decision to step down in 2001 and later join the committee of the CBL.

As fixture secretary in 2004-'05, I observed first-hand a talented Richie Murphy who would make it all the way to a grade one. 

Later, I was delighted to see my work colleague Damien O’Mahony become our second Referee of the Year, the original idea which was put to me by another excellent referee, work colleague and great friend to the league, Bertie Stark. 

In the same season, 2009-'10, he was appointed fourth official in the FAI Junior Cup final.