Bobby Coonan making a name for himself as one of the best referees in Cork despite his young age

Bobby Coonan is one of the rising stars in Cork refereeing circles and has a very bright future ahead of him in the game.

The 19 year-old who hails from Kinsalebeg in Waterford has been receiving rave reviews for his performances as the man in the middle and never seems flustered or bothered during games, no matter what the level.

Bobby played most of his underage soccer with his local club Clashmore Ramblers in Waterford before then playing in the Munster Senior League for Youghal United for two seasons when he was 17 and I8 years old. 

Coonan always enjoyed playing, however, he sacrificed playing to give himself the best chance of becoming a top referee.

After doing his leaving Cert two years ago, he joined the FAI ETB player development course that September in Waterford, and he is very grateful to Paddy Carey and Mark Barry for running this brilliant course in the SETU Arena. 

The course was for players looking to develop their skills and take the next step in their career, along with the education it gave them. 

However, from a playing perspective the course made him realise that he wanted to become a referee and not a player, and he had Paddy and Mark’s support to do so.

“I got involved as a referee as soon as I could," Coonan said. 

"You have to be 16 years-old to referee in Ireland and I did the beginners course at the age of 15, so that the second I turned 16 I was eligible to blow the whistle. 

"It was my father Vinnie, who is also a referee, that suggested the idea of doing the course. 

"However, to be honest, the main reason I started refereeing was for the financial benefit, but now it’s more than just that, it's a career for me."

Bobby now follows in his father Vinnie footsteps, who is still one of the top referees in Cork and he was a huge influence on him taking up the whistle. 

His uncle is well-known FIFA assistant referee Eddie Foley, who officiated at major tournaments all over the world, including the World Cup in France in 1998, and in Belgium and the Netherlands in 2000 at the Euros, and Eddie was another factor why he wanted to become a referee and follow in his footsteps.

“My father was my biggest influence in refereeing. 

"When I was young, I used to go to his games every week and watch him referee and that’s maybe where I grew an interest that I didn’t realise I had.

"Another influence I had was my uncle, Eddie Foley, who held a FIFA badge as an assistant referee and officiated in major tournaments such as the World Cup in France 1998 and Euro 2000 in Belgium and Netherlands.

“I feel the biggest challenge and demands I face as a referee right now would be my age. 

"I’d often turn up to a game and players and managers would be surprised that I was their referee. 

"There were times in the Cork Youth League where they assumed I was a player as I was refereeing players the same age as myself.

“I also feel that sometimes there is a lot expected of me, as I am the nephew of a previous FIFA badge referee, who was one of the best to come out of this country.

“I love meeting new people from all over the country and involving myself in a new side of the game. 

"Playing the game and refereeing the game are like two different sports. 

"Even watching the English Premier League it allows you to see the referees view and makes you realise how hard it actually is to be a top referee."

Some of Bobby’s highlights in his young career to date were referring his first League of Ireland academy game at age of 16, refereeing in the Kennedy Cup at 17, refereeing in the Cork Youth League at 18, and now in the Munster Senior League at 19. 

He is also now refereeing in League of Ireland underage games every week and Coonan was the man in the middle for the EA Sport’s LOI Michael Hayes cup final in Turner's Cross last season.

“My biggest advice to any young referee starting out would say to be confident, be firm and trust your gut. 

"You are going to make mistakes, a lot of them starting off, but that’s all part of the learning curve. 

"Do not worry about it, you will pickup new skills every game. Most importantly try to enjoy it.

“My main goal now is to get onto the elite panel in the League of Ireland. 

"That’s what I want and it’s where I will then know if I am good enough and more importantly, if I want to go further in my referring career. 

"I am potentially and hopefully looking at getting a FIFA badge and taking on the bigger games abroad if all goes to plan,” Coonan added.