Words matter in a game gone mad

In the second of our series focusing on referees, Thomas Conway speaks with Soccer referees ALEC MCCORMACK and EOGHAN O’SHEA on what is takes to become a match official and why they like doing what they do.

Even in this age of advanced technology and precision engineered VAR interventions, referees remain the most necessary enigma in modern football.

Granted, the role of a 21st century professional football referee has been considerably enhanced in recent years, as 50/50 calls have gradually become the remit of slow-motion replays and offside decisions are quickly outsourced to some hub located far away from the frenzy and fanfare of the match itself.

It has made life easier for those at the top, but bear in mind, there is no VAR hub in North Tipperary. Like the vast majority of referees across the footballing world, officials in this region have nothing to rely upon but shrewd judgement, strength of character, and knowledge of the game.

There's also a common myth out there that to become a referee, one needs to have the temperament of a high-stakes poker player, combined with the ice-cool composure of a chess grandmaster. That's not entirely true - both qualities are acquired over time.

By his own admission, Alec McCormack wasn't angelic as a player, nor was he ever reluctant to debate a point with a referee. Yet he has evolved to become one of the most respected officials in the region, his experience as a player helping to shape his development as a referee.

“I’m definitely twelve years as a referee, twelve-plus years even,” he began.

“Would you believe, it’s a terrible thing to say, but I wasn’t the referees’ best friend when I was playing! Things are different on the pitch though, and referees understand that - some of the mouthiest players can be the nicest fellas off the pitch.

“So, when I first got the call, I thought about it long and hard, but I went for it, and I haven’t looked back since. It’s not an easy job, people know that, but there are lots of benefits to it.”

Words matter, but so too does tone. This is a point which Alec is keen to address. While referees will always use their discretion to differentiate between spur-of-the-moment outbursts and serious verbal incidents, recent controversies have caused attitudes to shift. While previously there was a tacit acceptance that referees would always have to endure a certain level of abuse, Alec explains that this is no longer the case. Mistakes are inevitable, but the response to those errors, from players, spectators, and referees, can be altered.

“For a long time, we had the mindset which said that we’ll take it a small bit of abuse. But now we’ve come to a new mindset - that we shouldn’t have to take any abuse,” he added.

“We make bad decisions, yes, but we don’t do it on purpose. This is what I’d love to get across to people. We’re not out to do anything in favour of anyone, but we are partial to making mistakes. I would have brought those mistakes home and beaten myself up for a day or two afterwards, but I think the longer I’ve been at it, the better I’ve become at dealing with that. I can say, look, it’s over and done with, and then leave it there.”

Magnetism

To most recently retired players, there is a certain magnetism to coaching - the allure of carving your own game-plan and guiding a team to future success. For those whose passion is football, you can see the attraction. It's the closest anyone can get to reliving the raw adrenaline of being a player - or is it? They may not kick a football, but once a referee steps between the white lines, they instantly become part of the drama.

Alec has officiated at a high-level and recalls the “buzzing excitement” of games at Jackman Park and Turner’s Cross. Playing days come and playing days go but taking up the whistle can create a similar experience in a different way.

Still, it’s not often you see elite-level players make the leap from competing to refereeing. The transition is more common at grassroots level, but for Roscrea native Eoghan O’Shea, currently the secretary of the North Tipperary branch of the Irish Soccer Referees Society (ISRS), an accomplished professional playing career formed the backdrop to his journey as a referee.

Now 37, the former full-back excelled at underage level, sweeping up and down the wings for Thurles outfit Peake Villa, before moving to St. Joseph’s Boys - one of Dublin’s most established and successful clubs. Impressive performances at youth level quickly opened the door to a short but varied League of Ireland career, as Eoghan explains.

“Yeah, I had some decent enough success as a player,” he began.

“I won a DDSL with St. Joseph’s Boys, won a couple of South Tipp medals with Peake Villa. We actually got to the FAI Youth Cup Final but lost to Bohemians, and we also won the Munster Youth Cup Final down in Cork against Douglas. Then when I moved up to Dublin I signed for St. Pat’s, played with them for a few years at under-21 level, so that was my first League of Ireland experience. And then I went to Monaghan United, onto Kilkenny City, and then Athlone Town, which is where I finished up.”

New Chapter

That final stint at Athlone Town came to an end when Eoghan was 24, but in effect, it represented the beginning of a new chapter. The prospect of becoming a referee never made him shirk, nor was it something he had given serious consideration. Gradually however, doors began to open, there were nudges and encouragement, generous mentors, small yet significant individual experiences. It all contributed to a rising self-confidence and a realisation that he could thrive with the whistle just as he had flourished without it.

What has materialised since is a testament both to his own diligence as well as the myriad of opportunities which life as a referee can offer. Career progression isn’t obligatory, as Eoghan wants to emphasise. Success and satisfaction are judged on a personal level, but as the Roscrea man has discovered, there is, quite literally, a world of opportunity out there.

“There are massive opportunities in terms of what you can achieve as a referee,” he insists.

“And even if you just want to remain a local referee, you’ll still remain an integral part of the game. But if you do have ambitions and you do think you can make it at the top level, that pathway is there.

“I’ve had the opportunity to travel across the world - I was in China in 2019, I was in the Middle East back in 2017, I’ve been out in Europe regularly at big underage tournaments. And then even in this country - there are UEFA tournaments at under-17, under-19. There are oodles of opportunity.”

Tellingly, the former League of Ireland player gains as much satisfaction and pride from officiating an elite-level international game as he does a run-of-the-mill North Tipperary District League clash on a Sunday morning in mid-winter. As any local soccer enthusiast will inform you, these games are rarely run-of-the-mill anyway, and have all the passion and pyrotechnics of a Premier League fixture. The same could be said, in Eoghan’s opinion, for League of Ireland games. He believes the standard of the domestic game has improved dramatically in recent years, and while infrastructural investment should rank as a top priority, he feels that Irish people have a tendency to “under-sell” their own game - often failing to appreciate the excitement which League of Ireland football can produce. His message to would-be League of Ireland spectators resembles his advice to potential referees: give it a go. It may not work out, but it might.

“I would definitely ask any young lad, or any young girl, to give it a go,” O’Shea said.

“Look, it’s not for everyone, just like playing football isn’t for everyone or coaching isn’t for everyone, but you’d be amazed at the opportunities. If you had told me, a couple of years ago, that I’d be refereeing at elite-level, I would never have believed you. So never say never.”