Referees relish county final days
Helena Cummins receives her Player of the Match award from Sinéad Osgood following Michael Glaveys' Junior A ladies' football championship success on Saturday last. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
It can be easily forgotten that county final days are just as important to referees and their team of officials.
Clubs, players and managements leave no stone unturned in their quest for glory. Referees are no different as getting a county championship final is a wonderful honour.
Over the next two weekends, Aaron Clogher, Jimmy Donoghue and Ian Monaghan will be catapulted into the spotlight as the men in the middle. It will be a great occasion for their families and clubs after being awarded such high profile games.
Aaron Clogher of Pádraig Pearses will referee Sunday’s SFC final between Boyle and St. Brigid’s. Between football, hurling and ladies’ football this season, Aaron has covered more miles than any pilot. He is known for his control and he links up well with his team of officials.
The senior football final is the biggest gig for any referee and no doubt Aaron’s preparation will have being as precise as the two teams he will be keeping an eye on.
Twelve months ago, Jimmy Donoghue from Tulsk refereed a thrilling drawn Junior A football final between Pádraig Pearses and St. Ronan’s, which served notice of his potential with the whistle. On Sunday week, Jimmy will take charge of the eagerly awaited IFC final between Castlerea St. Kevin’s and Éire Óg.
I’ve seen Jimmy Donoghue in the senior football championship twice this year. On both occasions, he had to contend with horrendous weather conditions. He dealt with both games very impressively.
Firstly, he survived St. Dominic’s and Michael Glaveys before facing down the elements in the quarter-final clash between Boyle and Clann na nGael. He did so with great composure and control.
Over the past few years, new referees like Dermot Lyons, James Murray and Jimmy Donoghue have moved up the ladder. Another new recruit, Ian Monaghan from St. Brigid’s, gets his opportunity when he referees the Junior A football final between St. Michael’s and Clann na nGael on Saturday week.
Ian has been gaining massive experience this season and refereed Pádraig Pearses and West Roscommon in the SFC quarter-final. He will be looking forward to his big day.
Mistakes are inevitable. Referees will not get every call right, but it must never be forgotten that county final day is just as important to the referee. I wish all three men the very best of luck.
It would also be remiss of me not to mention Matthew Farrell of Oran who continues to climb up the ladder as an up and coming young hurling referee.
On the biggest day of the club football calendar in Roscommon, two of the county’s most outstanding players of the year will decorate Dr. Hyde Park with their talents next Sunday.
All-Star nominees Enda Smith and Brian Stack could hold the key to unlocking the door for their respective sides who will be aiming to climb the mountain where the Fahey Cup will be waiting to greet them at the top.
Both men will lead from the front, driving their team forward and providing inspiration at the appropriate times.
When Enda Smith takes off, there are few players who can match his skill, pace and power. On the other hand, Brian Stack would be so comfortable playing in any position, such is his ability to adjust to any situation. He sprinkles calmness and composure all over his team-mates, just like confetti at a wedding.
How appropriate, after a wonderful season for the county team, that both All-Star hopefuls will go head to head in the county senior football final. While they would be the first to acknowledge that they have brilliant players around them who respond to their promptings and guidance, both Stack and Smith will have pivotal roles for the team that prevails on Sunday.
After another week where the Late Late Show guest list continued to grow stale, thankfully my Tuesday Teaser gang remained fresh and energetic.
Can you name the team who beat Galway in John OMahony’s last game as manager of the Tribesmens? It was Tyrone in the 2004 All-Ireland football qualifier in Croke Park.
Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea was first on stage, with QPR, Frenchpark; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; John Croghan, Bundoran; Geraldine M, Ballaghaderreen; Adrian Hassett, Tuam; Martin Walshe, Carrowbehy; Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Charlie Candon, Boyle; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Pat Deane, Williamstown; David Callaghan, Castlerea; Pat, Sligo; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, also making an appearance.
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser comes from South Roscommon.
While it may not be champagne and caviar, I totally disagree with Pat Spillane’s assertion on last Friday’s Late Late Show that Gaelic football is “shite”.
Maybe Pat was depressed waiting in the wings having to listen to some of the guests that were on before him. By the time he arrived, he was probably wondering how many viewers were actually left.
In the short time he had on the programme, the former Sunday Game analyst went on a rant and wanted to get in as many sound bites as he could during his interview.
Plenty of GAA football games have become defensive arm-wrestles. There is an obsession on keeping possession, which is ruining the spectacle for supporters. Coaches are afraid to trust their players in attacking the opposition, so they set up with safety in mind.
But there are also some cracking games of football, which leads me to believe that the game is not where Spillane thinks it is.
Star pupil: Sheila Brady who scored 1-9 for Michael Glaveys as they defeated Northern Harps in the Roscommon LGFA Junior A championship final.
Crucial win for: Athlone Town who are back in their second successive Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup final after beating Sligo Rovers 4-0, setting up a rematch with Shelbourne in the decider.
Much do better: The St. Ciaran’s intermediate ladies’ footballers conceded a last-gasp goal to lose out to Éire Óg in heartbreaking fashion during last Saturday’s county final.
Spot of bother: Another Rugby World Cup quarter-final exit for Ireland.
Weekend highlight: The four best teams in international rugby — Ireland, France, New Zealand and South Africa — served up two extraordinary World Cup quarter-finals.
What a cracker: With so many talented players on show, the Roscommon SFC final between St. Brigid’s and Boyle will surely deliver a day to remember.
“When something bad happens, you have three choices. You can either let it define you, let it destroy you or you can let it strengthen you.”
St. Brigid’s are seeking their 18th SFC title on Sunday. Boyle are aiming for their third, and first since 1927.
The ladies’ footballers of Boyle and Éire Óg have passed the baton, and the pressure, onto their men’s teams to repeat the trick after both clubs won dramatic senior and intermediate LGFA county titles on Saturday last.
