Lucy O'Sullivan making huge progress as one of the best young referees in the country

Lucy O’Sullivan is making great progress as a young referee.

Despite having only taken up the whistle two years ago, she is now on the underage League of Ireland panel and also is the first female referee to make the Cork Youth League panel.

Lucy is 18 years old from Mahon and graduated from Nagle Community College in May. 

She used to play as a goalkeeper with Wilton, Avondale and Carrigaline before she stopped playing to concentrate on her refereeing career. However, she did represent Cork at inter-country level before she did the referees course in 2023 and she did her first game in the CWSSL later that year.

“I did the referees course in September 2023 after a bit of convincing from my dad, Darren, who is referee himself,” Lucy said.

“Originally, I took refereeing up for something to do and a bit of pocket money, but once I started I couldn’t stop and caught the bug.

“My dad was the one who really got me into refereeing.

"He referees in the Munster Senior League and when I started it gave me something to be inspired by.

“Dad acts like my own in house observer, and was really crucial to my development, especially in those first couple of months. 

"But being able to see female referees on the big stage gave me something to aspire towards.

"Seeing Stephaine Frappart take charge of Costa Rica and Germany in the 2022 men’s World Cup ignited a spark, and also seeing Michelle O'Neill assist all over Europe was really influential.

“I’m a category three referee in the Cork Youth League and the League of Ireland academy panel.

“Being one of only very few female referees in Ireland, who officiate in mens/boys football, it can be a bit challenging sometimes. 

"These boys often times have never seen a female referee, nevermind have one refereeing their games, they can be a bit unsure about what to expect, and of course, I’m the same age, if not younger, than a lot of the boys I’m refereeing which can be challenging at times also."

O’Sullivan has already been involved some big games so far in her young career.

She was a fourth official in the 2024 Gaynor Cup final and then was on the line for the 2024 Michael Hayes Cup final. 

She was then in the middle for the U17 National Cup final and U17 Munster Shield at Turner's Cross where her twin sister Ellie was one of her assistants.

“I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in a lot of big games so early in my career, from being the fourth official in the 2024 Gaynor Cup final, to assisting the 2024 Michael Hayes Cup final, to taking charge of the FAI girls U17 National Cup final this summer, and only a day later take charge of the U17 Munster Shield in Tuner's Cross, with my twin sister Ellie to assist me in both games.

“I love it in the Youth League.

"It’s fast paced, exciting football. 

"It’s a big step up for me from the schoolboys league and a good challenge. 

"I’m happy at the pace I’m moving now and enjoy where I’m at. 

"I don’t want to get ahead of myself when the road is still so long. 

"I’m happy referring the games I have now and want to keep learning all the time.

“Maybe in a few years, if I keep my head down and keep working, who knows where referring will take me, the opportunities are endless.

“I want to thank all the local observers for their continuing support, however, a special thanks to my dad, Darren, mother, Linda, sisters, Ellie and Lauryn, who travel the length and breadth of Cork and Ireland to support me,” O’Sullivan added.

Timmy Kelleher, chairman of the Cork Referees Society is really proud of Lucy and thinks she is going to have a very bright future in the game.

“I had the pleasure of working with Lucy as an assistant referee in an underage League of Ireland game last year while she was in the middle and young Bobby Coonan was the other assistant,” Timmy said.

“We were all miked up, so I could hear all the inter-actions Lucy was having with the players and the other assistant. 

"She was very good communicating with everybody and didn’t take any lip from those who thought they had an easy time with a female referee.

“So, in my opinion, if she keeps working hard and keeps her head down she will fly up the ladder and will be a top referee in no time at all,” Kelleher added.