Despite over 25 years service as a referee, Carrick Emmets' stalwart Terry Kiernan is arguably better known as one of the nation's most recognisable and best known umpires. Another session at the handball courts at the Emmets' vaunted complex and Terry Kiernan's long-standing relationship with the GAA is further cemented. Clearly matters Gaelic and Terry's lifestyle are inextricably intertwined. The disbandonment of the county minor board a couple of years ago may have brought his 21 years service to the board to a summary halt but Terry's involvement in Gaelic games hasn't stopped . . .not by half. In particular, his role as a high-profile umpire remains as real and cospicuous as it has ever done over the last 15 years and more. In years gone by when Seamus Murray was the number one referee in county Monaghan, our man Terry was the bold Murray's right hand man beside the posts. In more recent years, Terry has caught the eye on more than one accasion as a trusted lieutenant of Corduff whistleblower Pat McEnaney. Last September, Terry was at his most efficient best for the All-Ireland SFC final clash between Mayo and Kerry. It was the fourth blue riband decider that he has officiated at and, to all extents and purposes, just another day at the office for the popular official. "It's special to be there at Croke Park for a big match and it's always a memorable occasion," he explains. Any nerves? "Just a bit but I think everyone who appears at Croke Park would admit to being a bit jittery 'till they get into the swing of things and I'm no different. "You try and be yourself on the day though and just concentrate on doing your best." It was in 1995 for an All-Ireland SFC semi-final tie that Terry made his first appearance at headquarters with Pat McEnaney but it was the fractious championship decider (and replay) the following year that involved Meath and Mayo that remains his most memorable, simply because it was his first All-Ireland final. Terry insists that he has enjoyed the umpiring role over the years even though he has often found it to be a "fairly demanding" one. To help the men in the white coats meet the demands of the modern game, Terry explains that it is normal for the appointed referee, his team of umpires and linesmen to attend a briefing session with officials from the GAA's Gaelic Administration Committee a week or so before their scheduled appearance for a big match at Croker. At such a get-together, clips of recent games, including incidents of foul play etc may be shown to help the appointed match official and his assistants. As for the match-day schedule itself, Terry says that he normally travels to Croker on the morning of the match in the same car as referee McEnaney and the other umpires invited along. Unlike the referee in charge, umpires on duty at matches aren't afforded any expenses and Terry has no problem with that state of affairs. "Umpires don't get expenses and that's certainly not something I've a problem with. "I see my role at Croke Park or whatever else I'm on duty as an honour and I don't think there's any need for umpires to receive any expenses for doing their job." Getting to meet the players after the matches and discussing some of the finer points of the game over a few drinks in the stadium's sumptuous surroundings is something that Terry looks forward to. And, understandably so, given the long day revolving around a trip to Jones' Road - a trip which can begin as earlier as 11 am when the McEnaney entourage departs Carrick. Amazingly for someone with so much experience of the biggest days at Croke Park, Terry has never taken centre stage on Ulster finals day at Clones down the years. It's something he regrets but hasn't given up hope that some day that ambition might be realised. "The fact that a referee from outside the province is usually brought in to referee the Ulster final means that my chances of doing umpire in Clones is slim. "You never know what way the rule will go in the years ahead," the Bailieboro Co-Op employee adds. The Shercock Road, Carrick resident and long-time handball afficionado has many fond memories of his time travelling the length and breadth of the country as an experienced and confident umpire. On the domestic front, he names Pearse Park, Ballybay as probably his favourite ground while nominating Croker, unsurprisingly, as tops nationally. As regards key matches, interestingly, despite having a soft spot for his first All-Ireland SFC final in '96, he says he has particular happy memories of travelling to Cork to officiate as umpire at the Munster SFC decider in 1999 between winners-elect Cork and favourites Kerry. "It was the first championship final I'd be involved in down south and a great experience. "There was a tremendous atmosphere at the match which was on a par with anything I've seen at Croke Park," explained the Emmets stalwart who represented his county at all levels back in the 'sixties. Father of eight - including Terry junior, McAviney Cup-winning captain of 2002 - Terry says that, thankfully, GAA umpires aren't, ordinarily, the butt of abuse and intimidation as can be the case with refs. "You'd come under pressure on occasions, mostly at club level," he confirms. Terry still referees in Monaghan, over 25 years since he first gained a name for honesty, fairness and integrity when refereeing at a high level in his native county. From 1978 to 1998, Terry was a man in black in demand, so much so that he was honoured by being 'awarded' county minor and junior championship deciders. He maintains that all referees try to do their best but "they have good and bad days like everyone else." Terry also believes that a referee's job is that bit more onerous though than that of an umpire. That said, he still feels there is a need for umpires to attend whatever courses may be arranged to help them do their job better. Terry himself attended such a course and found it most beneficial. "Just like the referees, the decisions umpires make are coming more and more under scrutiny. "It seems like the microscope from the television people and the newspapers is on everyone these days so you have to always trying be alert when the game is on, sharp as well, tuned in and ready to use your common sense." Coverage of Gaelic football has certainly evolved and mushroomed since Terry first linked up with Pat McEnaney as an umpire back in 1994. The occasion was a national league match between Mayo and Kerry in Ballina. Then, as now, Terry practiced the art of getting in the right position around the goal and anticipating the direction and timing of the attacker's pot at goal. With this in mind, one wonders does Terry believe that video evidence would help both the umpire and the referee in clarifying whether contentious 'scores' were either valid or not? "It's a difficult one to come down hard and fast on but if video evidence could help clarify controversial incidents and could benefit football then I wouln't mind seeing it brought into play. "You can never eliminate human errors completely and anything that can be done to make decisions as perfect as possible should be investigated." And what of his short-term aim, GAA-wise? "I'll continue to help out as long as I'm able. "There's pressure in every challenge and role you take on but once you do your best and do as good a job as can be expected, then things tend to go along fairly smoothly." Tweet

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