Promising Intermediate referees Andrew Davey and Tim Marshall were joined by assistant referees
Mark Millar, Tony Sharkey, Sam Campbell and David Hamilton, all experienced Championship assistant referees.
All the match officials were based at the Slieve Donard Hotel,Newcastleand were all
involved in three matches in four days. They were joined by visiting referees Alan Sherlock from the FAI and Mark Thomas from
the Isle of Man.
Having the group of officials together for the duration
of the tournament meant feedback on performances could be discussed in detail the morning after games and this was facilitated
by experienced Irish FA referee observers Malcolm Moffatt and Ken McKinney.
The match officials could be considered as the fifth team in the tournament and the benefits of staying together
and sharing experiences can only benefit them in their future careers.
Malcolm
Moffatt said, “Everyone has bonded together from the first minute they met each other, and we have been delighted with
the performances from the match officials”.
Referee Development
Officer Alan Snoddycommented, “I have no doubt all six of our local officials have gained great benefit from these four
days, in some ways they have been taken out of their normal comfort zone into very competitive and important games and shown
they are capable of handling these games”
So its not only the
players who can look back on the experience gained, the referees and assistant referees also learn from tournaments.
Anyone interested in joining a future referee beginners course is invited to e mail
referees@irishfa.com
