Ever hear the one about the referee that travelled over 3,000 miles to oversee a Connacht minor football league match?

Well for anyone that thinks this is a belated April Fool's joke then think again as that's exactly what New York GAA referee John Fitzpatrick did last weekend as he travelled to Carrick-on-Shannon where he refereed the Connacht MFL clash between Leitrim and Mayo.

The Connacht Council flew the New York native to officiate at the match as part of their plan to improve the quantity and quality of refereeing Stateside.

Fitzpatrick was born in New York to Irish parents and although he lived in Ireland from the ages of 12 to 19, the 47-year-old has resided stated nearly all his adult life.

Since 1998 he has been refereeing in New York and when the opportunity came to referee at a high level here in Ireland, he was delighted to take the opportunity.

Speaking to the Western People he said: "If nothing else, it helps bridge the gap between here and there. It gives everyone a feeling here that you're a bit closer. If it was to have any other benefits, I would hope that it encourages people in New York to take up refereeing.

"It's very difficult to get referees, so if they have that incentive that if they do a good job or do it along enough, maybe they'll get an opportunity to referee outside New York, I was delighted to get that opportunity." Tweet

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