The Man in the Middle
I finally took the plunge last weekend and attended a course in Dublin to become a qualified referee.
It is something has always interested me, and with all the controversy surrounding officials so far this year, there was no better time to get a better understanding of their role.
The course was featured on MNS recently and the feedback was that it was going to be extremely enlightening.
Having passed the course (don’t be so surprised), I’m really looking forward to a first game as an official. It ran all weekend, proving quite interesting and it was very well presented.
Former Airtricity League referee John Feighrey headed the course, and he was aided by Gerry Behan and another former referee, Declan Hanney.
It was hugely informative and I must admit I learned so much from the weekend. As players we all think we know the rules inside-out, but that didn’t prove to be the case.
I gave referees a lot of stick over the years, but last weekend I realised just how hard a job it is. I would love to take back the verbal abuse I gave referees in my playing days. There is no place for it in the game and they don't deserve it.
The initiative from the PFAI to run a course for current players is a brilliant idea. This can help build relationships between the players and the referees, and it can only improve the standard of our officials and the behaviour of the players.
Hopefully the experience picked up during my career will be an advantage in my understanding of the job and how beneficial it could be if more players thought along those lines and became involved.
It is a very big ladder, but I have taken my first step so we’ll see where it goes.
Dizzy Drogs
Five weeks into the new season and it would appear everything has gone just as expected.
Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers are vying for top spot, while Bohemians are one of the clubs that face a long and tough season.
But there has been a surprise package, as Drogheda United have had excellent start, currently lying in third spot.
I expected Drogheda to be comfortable in mid-table, but this start has been a shock. I know it is only early days and there is a long way to go, but Mick Cooke has given the people of Drogheda hope again.
They have been in the doldrums following financial trouble that the club were embroiled in over the past few seasons, and for many supporters and locals, the future looked bleak.
Finally, it looks as if there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Cooke has finally being able to assemble his own squad and put his stamp on it. A year ago, he inherited a poor team with many problems that he had little time to solve.
Cooke’s job was to stabilise the club again and retain their Premier Division status. He was successful in doing that, largely down to the shambles that was Galway United some may argue, but he achieved it all the same. He certainly has earned a crack at the challenge of making Drogheda great again and the former Monaghan United boss seems to be going about it the right way.
Cooke has signed a lot of young, hungry players and some former Monaghan men. The beauty of this is he knows what he will get from these lads. It is obvious that he trusts them and they trust him because of previous relations. This is hugely important in a dressing room, and you can see this in the performances so far - they are playing for him.
Thus far they have won three games, drawn one and were unlucky to be beaten against the champions Shamrock Rovers. Drogheda are playing with a freedom that is creating plenty of chances and the results are coming.
It remains to be seen how long this excellent early-season form will last and they are unlikely to reach the dizzy heights of the Paul Doolin era. However, the signs are positive that the good times may be on their way back to Hunky Dory Park. That’s good to see.
Until next week,
Alan
