Allan Martin now forging a great career as a referee after being one of the best soccer players in Cork

With the new Beamish Stout Munster Senior League up and running for the coming season referee Allan Martin is back in the saddle after he picked up the league’s Tom Tully Referee of the Year award at a function that was held in the Kiln at the end of last season.

This was no surprise to players, managers and his fellow referees, as Allan has shown great progress as a referee over the years, especially with his down to earth approach in every game he officiates at.

Martin had a very successful playing career where played with Rockmount from schoolboys all the way up to senior level. 

He also played one season in the League of Ireland with Cobh Ramblers and also spent one season with College Corinthians before going back to Rockmount to finish his playing career.

Once finished he began coaching and managing the senior side, helping them to win many trophies. 

However, he decided to step away from the hustle and bustle of the management side of things and decided to get involved in the refereeing side of the game, as he wanted to stay involved in the game he loves.

“I started refereeing in 2022 mainly because I wanted to stay involved in the game, Allan said.

“I had numerous conversations with Edwin McNally about taking up the whistle, so he was the one who encouraged me to do it in the first place. "Edwin was a big help to me at the start and to be fair is still encouraging me today. 

"Graham Kelly was another referee who helped me massively and was always at the end of the phone if I ever needed any advice.

“I started in the schoolboys league then progressed to the Munster Senior League and since I've been in the senior panel, referees like Darren O'Sullivan, Rob O'Leary, Declan Fogarty and Vinnie Coonan, who have years of experience between them have been brilliant in helping me to progress and keep improving."

Some of the biggest challenges that Martin has faced is trying to get the big decisions right and he brings all his experience from his playing and management careers to try understand the frustrations when things aren’t going their way.

“The biggest challenge that I face in the game is always wanting to get the big decisions right, because as a former player I know what it means to players when they're trying to win a game. 

"So, I don't want to be the reason the result hasn't gone their way and although I know that’s not always possible.

“Some of the biggest problems these days for referees is the amount of verbal abuse they receive. 

"For me, I understand the frustration for players when you make a decision they don't like and you might receive a bit of abuse. 

"However, I believe comes with the territory but when it starts getting personal then I don't think any referee should have to tolerate that and this is something I believe needs to be clamped down on as quick as possible.

“I was lucky to have refereed a few schoolboys finals, also went to the Kennedy Cup and have done a few junior and senior finals in Turner's Cross. 

"However the biggest accomplishment so far in my refereeing career was being awarded the Tom Tully Senior League Referee of the Year award for last season. 

"It came as a huge surprise to me, but I was obviously over the moon to receive it.

“My plan going forward is to keep doing what I'm doing, take on all the advice I get from other referees and observers and to hopefully keep improving myself,” Martin added.

Timmy Kelleher, chairman of the Irish Soccer Referees Society, was personally delighted for Martin who was being rewarded for all his dedication and hard work over the last four years.

“Allan has been refereeing for roughly four years now and has been a consistent attendee at our monthly branch meetings,” Timmy said.

“He looks like all the laws of the game and the different presentations he has attended that has greatly helped his game management etc.

“He always asks questions if he is unsure about the correct decisions that are needed for some situations and the senior referees can clarify anything for him.

“He has also played at a high level so he understands players frustrations at times, so he shows that experience when a card is required or a few quiet words will suffice.

“We, all of us at the branch are delighted for Allan on his deserving award within the Munster Senior League, especially as all his efforts and hard work have now paid off and deservedly so in my opinion,” Kelleher added.