My journey with the ‘Knights of the Whistle’ allowed me to see both sides of the coin!

In the nearly seventy-five year plus history of the Cork Business League the relationship with the Cork Branch of ISRS has always been one of mutual respect and understanding.

In the league’s first decade names such as Sam Allen, Joe Bray, Sylvester Croeger and later Sam Spillane would have watched over proceedings before the formation of the branch in 1960 allowed the society to develop into the vibrant group it has become today.

In my fourteen year tenure as a player with Roches Stores which spanned part of three decades, I was fortunate to have come across some of the best of that era and indeed of any era. Hugely respected whistlers at the time would have included the legendary trio of Derry Barrett, Sammy Spillane and Eddie Mullins. Others less famous nationally but equally as hard working and engaging on the local scene would have included ‘Mr. Football’ himself, Tony Hennessy, Denis Morley, Rory O’Connor (father and son), Michael O’Farrell, Connie Long, Eddie Healy, Frank Hourigan, Michael Foley, Pat Corcoran, Jim O’Leary, Paddy O’Mahony, Barry Kearney, Bill Killackey, Finbarr O’Sullivan, the late Pat Clancy, Con Dineen, Michael Murphy, Ollie Carroll, Tony Murphy and Kevin Coughlan.

My first Byrne Cup (Premier Cup) Final appearance on a never to be forgotten day at Pfizer Pk. on Sunday, May 18th 1986 was the first time I had the opportunity of playing in front of three officials. Referee Peter O’Sullivan, assistants Derry Barrett and Robbie Gregan gave trojan service to their profession and will be fondly remembered for their part in a nail biting contest which went all the way to penalties and victory over Postal Workers.

After finishing playing at the end of the 1991/92 season, I couldn’t resist the bug to get back out onto the pitch. And so, after completing a week long referee beginner’s course in Munster FA Turner’s Cross in October 1993, I was on the side of the men in the middle. My first branch meeting in then Moore’s Hotel brought me face to face with those to whom I used to give match fees to. On my way out, the late Derry Barrett trust a piece of paper with his phone number into my hand and said to the effect, if I ever needed advice, not to hesitate to ring. A fabulous gesture from one of Cork’s greatest sporting heroes!

A season on the Cork Schoolboy’s League panel was followed by two seasons on the Youth League where I got to fulfil a personal milestone of refereeing at the home of Cork soccer. Thanks to promptings of the Referee Inspectorate group and namely, Billy Falvey, who invested great time in promoting up and coming officials through regular gatherings at the ‘Cross’, I received my first appointment in the middle.

It was a whole new ball game stepping out onto the turf at Turner’s but with the encouragement of my two assistants Dermot Moynihan and Joe Harris I got through without controversy to witness Doughlas Hall defeat Macroom two-nil in a youths’ second division play-off.

A season on the Business League panel in 1998/99 ended with another appearance at the ‘Cross’ this time in the AIB Cup Final between winners Cara Partners and Naval Services assistant referee along with Pat Cronin to the talented Robbie Gregan who imparted so much of his experience on those coming through the ranks that his legacy will never be forgotten. With my son Alan breaking into the Evergreen academy in 2004, I moved into coaching while keeping up contact with former referee colleagues through my involvement as PRO on the CBL committee.

The league has been so fortunate over the last decade to have officials of the calibre of Bertie Stark, Damien O’Mahony, John Sweeney, Brendan Dowling, Grahame Duffy, John Linehan, Brendan O’Regan, and more recently Denis Cronin, Ken O’Driscoll and Damien Morey excel on the panel on a number of occasions.

The much loved and respected official, Bertie Stark, took a huge interest in the league during his spells on the panel and in retirement still continues to cast an eye on proceedings through the extensive coverage in the Echo every Wednesday. He built up a repour with many teams who were appreciative of his common sense approach and man management. His own style of humour also played its part in getting him out of many a tricky situation. His association with the league has spanned close to thirty years ever since his appointment to the referee the 1996 shield final between Aer Lingus and AIB.

And so, long may the branch continue to be an integral part of the league’s growth into what could well be a defining time in the league’s history as it embarks on summer football for the first time.