Tell us a little about yourself: age, place of birth, current occupation.
—44 years of Age, born in Limerick Ireland, currently Technical Support Manager for EMEA and APAC for Emerson Network Power.
What is you background as a rugby player?
—Played rugby at club level all the way from under 6 to Senior.
Why did you decide to become a referee?
—After a few years away from rugby where I was running marathons decided to go back and play in 1999 and broke my femur playing Rugby in 2000 decided that it was time to hang up the boots.
Did you have some kind of mentor?
—Alan Lewis, international referee for Ireland.
Do you remember your first game as a referee? How did it go? Any funny or special memory?
—Underage game went well, felt strange been in the middle.
What was the most memorable screw up?
—At a local junior league qualifier game in Ireland where at full time the score was only a one point difference and I advised the wrong team that they won, to say the least I was lucky to leave the venue.
Which is the one game you most remember of your career?
—First national appointment for the IRFU, All Ireland League Queen's University RFC v Waterpark RFC.
How well do players and coaches in Florida know the laws of the game?
—I would say they know about 85% of the laws.
What is your opinion in general of the attitude of players towards the referees in Florida?
—Fairley good.
As a referee, have you made more friends or foes?
—Friends for sure.
Does being able to watch a game on video help you improve your skills?
—Sometimes.
What are the most rewardings aspects of being a referee? And the least?
—Most rewarding is making a dull game exciting and being thanked for helping that happen, least is having two teams that have no interest in playing rugby and only intent is been destructive.
If you have had the opportunity to ref a match oversees, how was that experience?
—Barbados v St. Lucia, really enjoyed.
What would you tell a player to encourage him becoming a referee?
—Great way of meeting folks and being part of the rugby world.
Any final thoughts or comments about being a rugby referee?
—Great way to keep fit and experience the other side of rugby.
|