Awards: Best referee in a pressure situation
December 28, 2011
Des Smyth continue's to referee the match after discarding one of his boots
The most unthankful job in the GAA? No matter what you do there is always someone to complain. If it's not the manager, it's the players and if they are calm the supporters are on your back. We take a look at a few referees who handled certain situations very well.
On a fine summer's evening St Patrick's took on St Cuthbert's in an U14 League final. The referee on that occasion was Ballinlough's Jimmy Brady. A great game passed without incident and went to extra time. Jimmy showed that he could handle the pressure especially when it came to keeping the score. At the end of the game Brady was surrounded by thirty youngsters eager to find out the score. Jimmy was not put out by all the pressure, took his time to tot up the scores and recorded a 7-7 to 4-16 win for St Pats.
Underage games especially finals seems to add more pressure on the referee. For our second contender(s) we go to Dunshaughlin and an U12 Go Games decider between the home side and Summerhill. These new games require two referees keeping the score between two games. On duty that day were Syddan's Paul Mooney and Seneschalstown's Ciaran Flynn. Not only did the two men handle the game well but they had the massive scoreline spot on at the finish despite having to battle a torrential downpour for a half an hour during proceedings.
Slane's David Gough was the referee for the Meath SFC final replay between Summerhill and Dunshaughlin. As the game approached the final second's Summerhill were awarded a 45. It was to be the last kick of the game but Stephen Kennedy decided to go short and Gough blew the full time whistle. A brave but correct decision.
Dunderry's Gus Martyn took charge of the Division 5 League final between St Vincents and Slane. The venue was Ashbourne at the end of September. The big question on everyone's lips was if the game would go ahead or not. It rained all day that Friday and seemed to get worse that evening with a very strong wind. Undeterred Gus took to the field at 7.50 deemed the pitch playable and refereed in a downpour for the first half. Conditions improved for the second period but fair play to Gus and Donaghmore/Ashbourne for getting the match finished.
A good question for those GAA heads in years to come would be to name the referee that finished a final wearing just one boot.
On a very warm evening in Pairc Tailteann Des Smyth took charge of the U16 Division 4 League final between Moynalty and Moynalvey. The game was into the final ten minutes when Des approached the sideline proceeded to take off one of his boots and tossed it to the dugout. The ground that evening was hard and Des was wearing screw in studs, which were coming up through the sole of the boot. Keen to finish Des disregarded the culprit and finished the match.
For sheer determination to finish a match our award goes to Des Smyth
Tomorrow we pick our award for the Club of the Year (on the playing field)
Our previous award winners
Awards: Best Intermediate Club Hurler
Awards: Senior Club Footballer of the Year
Awards: Best Junior Championship Player
Awards: Best Meath star in a club management role
Awards: Minor Footballer of the Year
Awards: Best comeback in a championship match
Awards: Best togged out team at adult level
Awards: Best display in a ladies football final
Awards: Most medals won Tweet
