Top of the class
November 27, 2010
The 2010 Meath senior football final has been described by most who witnessed it as one of the best ever produced in the history of the game in the county. The decider between Skyrne and Seneschalstown had everything, excellent scores both from play and frees, intensity, excitement and of course one of the most exhilarating finishes to a match ever seen.
Of course, everyone was and still are talking about Skyrne's defeat of Seneschalstown, but one person that played a massive part in the occasion was referee Brendan Darby.
Apart from one blip near the end, Brendan let the game flow and all the plaudits he received after the match were all the more significant as this was his first senior final to referee.
"I was pleased enough with the job I done on the final. I did make one mistake with trying to bring a '45 forward, but that was soon rectified, so I was happy enough with my overall performance," Brendan told this year's edition of the Royal County GAA Yearbook.
The fact that Brendan is only refereeing five years shows the high esteem that he is held in by his peers, but he admits that it is a route that he never considered in the past.
Having played football with Ballinabrackey up to minor level, Brendan left these shores for the UK where he worked for nine years before returning home with a young family.
"I was involved with Ballinabrackey at underage level about five years ago and we went to a game where a referee never turned up. Someone turned to me and asked would I do it and I said I would. It just took off from there really.
"I actually enjoy doing it, which may sound strange to some people as many would ask am I mad or what, but I haven't had any real problems on the field."
Brendan has been described as one of the most professional referees in the county in that the attitude he approaches every game with is methodical.
"I bring my own umpires to every game and they are kitted out in their white coats and the lot. It looks a lot more professional when you arrive with your own umpires and it sends out a message to teams that you mean business."
The Ballinabrackey admits that the task of a referee was not helped earlier this year when the GAA decided to tweak the rules and of course the handpass, which caused great debate.
"It wasn't easy on referees when they brought those changes in and the season already underway. If there are going to be rule changes then they should be made before the start of the year to give players and referees the opportunity to get use to them."
Brendan admits that refereeing at underage level is not easy given the level abuse that is sometimes directed towards match officials and he revealed that he would actually advise anyone considering taking up the whistle to gain some experience first.
"There is a problem at underage where you have too many on the sideline for starters and tensions are easily frayed, especially when someone's child is involved. I'd tell any young referee to try and get some experience before doing underage games; it certainly doesn't entice people into refereeing when they see some of the carry one.
"The GAA could take a leaf out of rugby's book in the way that they players respect the officials. You just have the captain speak to the referees and that's the way it should be."
In almost all championship games there are a referee, team of umpires and two neutral linesmen officiating and Brendan feels that the same should apply to all matches.
"I definitely think if a game is played at a neutral venue then that club should supply two linesmen, who would be impartial to the outcome of the match. The referee should always have four umpires and I'm fortunate to have such reliable men as Patsy Glynn, Milo Fox, Pete Wall and Sean McGrath who go to all the games with me."
Brendan also has another member to his crew and that is his son Shane, who attends all the games along with his Dad and is known throughout the county.
"Shane actually did the scoreboard during the county final and he comes to all the matches with me. He would be well known throughout the county and its gone to the stage that if he is not with me, then people are asking "is he not with you today", which is quite funny given that he's only 13."
At 40 years of age, Brendan has no interest in officiating at inter county level and he feels that if he can keep producing at the same level of consistency at club level, he will be happy enough.
"At inter-county level you could be gone for the whole day refereeing a game anywhere in the country. At least at club level you will always be only away for a couple of hours. I like what I'm doing and I hope that I'm respected by all the clubs. I set out to do my best in every game and I prepare the same for every match. I got a call on the morning of the county final from a former referee and he told me not to do anything different that I would for any other game and that's the way I approached it.
"I have a small gym set up in the house and I train twice a week to keep in shape. It is important to stay in shape as our fitness is tested every year."
Brendan is supported by his wife Caroline and three children Stephen, Michael and Shane who he admits have been very supportive of his refereeing.
"My wife has been very encouraging since I first took up the whistle as have the lads and as I said Shane goes everywhere with me. It's important that they are so supportive as I could be out a few evenings a week and at the weekends during the summer."
The recent appointment of Banty McEneaney as manager of the county senior footballers has been a major talking point within Meath and Brendan believes now is the time to get behind the new manager and look to the 2011 campaign.
"I think it's a good move for the county. He will freshen things up and that was probably needed. A lot of people were sceptical about the appointment, but now that he is there, everyone should just get behind him and his management team."
Away from the football field, Brendan spends his days working as site manager for Westlin Construction, a Dublin based building firm owned by Westmeath native Mark Stenson and Dublin man Aidan Boyle.
At present, Brendan is overseeing the construction of a crèche in Crumlin and despite the current economic recession they are gaining steady work.
"I have been with the company for the past three years. We are a small building firm and I suppose that is one of the reasons why we have survived, the fact that we haven't got too big. There would be around 30 lads employed here, while there are a number of sub contractors on the books as well."
Brendan may have refereed his first senior county football final earlier this year, but there is no doubt that this Ballinabrackey match official will certainly oversee a few more before he decides to hang up his whistle.
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