Published: Wednesday, 6th January, 2010 4:50pm

Navan referee making huge strides forward

by Jimmy Geoghegan

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Patience and the ability not to panic. Two qualities that are not always found in abundance on football pitches. Sean Gallagher regards both as essential when it comes refereeing - and he should know.

Last October Gallagher turned 20 yet already he can be considered something of a veteran when it comes to taking charge of games; rugby games to be specific.

From Ardbraccan in Navan Gallagher is in his fourth year as a rugby referee and in November he took charge of his first All-Ireland League (AIL) clash between Nenagh and Barnhall, making him one of the youngest match officials in the country at that level.

The Nenagh, Barnahll appointment completed a memorable year for the Maynooth College arts student. Last summer he received the IRFU 'young referee of the year' award.

To get a call up to take charge of an AIL game was a further vindication of his promise - and maturity - in what is recognised as a very difficult role that requires a lot of savvy and plenty of diplomacy. He says he loves refereeing and rarely if ever gets grief from players or spectators.

Not content to simply take it easy and drift along in what is now his favourite hobby, Gallagher is constantly looking at ways of honing his skills. Rugby referees, he says are constantly being assessed and while some might see this as pressure Gallagher looks on it as a way of improving, moving up to the next level.

"The more feedback you get the better you are going to be. It's very competitive among the referees themselves when you get up the line. You try to do the best you can, try to do your best to move yourself along."

Gallagher is also hoping to make it onto the IPAS or A list of referees in Ireland by the start of next season and get the opportunity to take charge of AIL games on a regular basis.

While Gallagher is usually appointed to Leinster Junior League games he is also put in charge of matches in other provinces and how he does in these encounters could go a long way towards deciding what level he will be at next season.

"This weekend, for example, I will referee the Ballina v Westport match. You go down and get assessed in other provinces and how you do in those will determine at the end of the season if you will get a promotion or not.

"I don't get nervous before games like that. I'd get more nervous watching a game than refereeing one. I don't get nervous before games and I don't think I ever did."

Surprisingly there is no refereeing background in Gallagher's family. His father Gabriel is from Donegal and has close connections with the GAA club in Ardara. His mother Bernie is from Kentstown. He has two younger brothers, Mark and Barry.

While he dabbled in playing and coaching it was in refereeing that Gallagher derived the most enjoyment. When still only 16 he went about finding out about becoming a match official and unexpectedly got an early chance to shine in that role.

His first game at adult level was a Navan v Co Carlow tie in the Anderson Cup at Balreask Old and it wasn't short of challenges for the teenager.

"The referee didn't turn up and I took the game. During the match I showed a red card to one of the Co Carlow players for a punch. The following week I went down to Carlow to referee a minis blitz and I found out there that the player I sent off the previous week was actually the club president," he recalled with a laugh.

Over the years Gallagher has become accustomed to players, 10 to 15 years older referring to him as 'sir' which is the way players customarily address rugby referees.

Gallagher says he spends just as much time on rugby matters as he does his university studies. As part of his rugby education he has served as fourth official at a number of Leinster games. This weekend he will be fourth official for the Leinster v Glasgow clash.

"I was at the RDS as a fourth official for two Leinster games last season and Rob Kearney was acting as the Leinster waterboy. I was on the sideline and he came over to me and said: 'Sir, can I go on, can I go on.' It was really strange and funny."

As part of his duties as a fourth official Gallagher has to ensure that the referee has everything he needs. If the game is covered on TV he must ensure there is clear communication between the referee and the TMO.

Rather than getting any negative comments or snide remarks about being a very young referee telling players considerably older than him what they can and cannot do, Gallagher says people in the game are delighted that someone of his age is involved.

If there is one thing that irritates him it is the rash of substitutions teams tend to make late in games. If he had his way there would be no substitutions allowed in the last 10 minutes, except for injuries.

Gallagher would love to make it to the highest level. Before that he is content to take it one step at a time, one game at a time using his patience, tendency not to panic and his knowledge of rugby to see him through.