Ref Mooney selected for GAA's Championship panel

Paul Fitzpatrick

Cavan has a long and proud tradition of producing referees for big occasions in the GAA, with four Cavanmen – Simon Deignan, Fintan Tierney, Brian Crowe and Joe McQuillan - having officiated at All-Ireland senior finals.

Another up and coming whistler who hopes to add his name to that list is Cavan Gaels clubman Noel Mooney, who was last week named on the 18-man championship panel of referees for the first time.

“The aim at the start of the year was to put myself out there to hopefully have a chance of making it, go out every day and try and do your best and hopefully get in the frame for it. I got a call Monday and I was delighted, it was great news, as you could imagine yourself I was ecstatic,” Noel told The Anglo-Celt.

Mooney, at 33, has been refereeing for eight years and has already handled some big matches including an All-Ireland minor semi-final, two National League finals, provincial minor and U21 finals, a McKenna Cup final and two county senior finals in Cavan.

Along with his usual team of umpires – his brother Michael, Martin Sheridan, Mickey Graham Snr and Bernie Quinn – Mooney is becoming a familiar sight at the big games, although he is in the dark as to what matches he will be designated in the 2016 championship.

“That’s all up to the fixtures and appointments committee,” he said.

“We [Noel and umpires] have a good rapport and I think that’s half the battle, it makes the game a lot easier when you have eyes behind your back and it makes it easier to call some decisions.”

In an era of increasing physical demands on players, referees have had to keep pace.

“I have started going out on the bike and I’d go running a couple of evenings a week or at lunchtimes at work I’d go down to Breffni and do some training then. The fitness test is on next Friday night in Dublin, you have to pass that first to be able to get any games so that’s the next aim now, to pass that.

“There are assessors at all the games and you get feedback and take it on board, it’s advice and it’s great to get it.”

In the long term, his goal is to make the biggest showpiece occasion in Irish sport, the All-Ireland SFC final.

“Every referee’s ambition when they start out is the third Sunday in September, if all goes well obviously that will be the aim for the next number of years when I’m refereeing. It’s the pinnacle of every referee’s career and it’s something to strive for, that’s where you want to go.

“I really enjoy it, some people say I’m mad but I still enjoy it. It’s like anything, if you enjoy doing something, you get a buzz out of it. I enjoy doing it, I like going to the games. When you get the notice, you ring the umpires, make arrangements and it’s enjoyable heading off.

“You get to meet a lot of people through it, other referees, umpires, it’s great and you build friendships through it as well.”