Meath referee David Coldrick takes to the big stage on Sunday as match official for the Kerry/Cork showdown. So who is this young, early 30's whistler from the plains of Meath? We reprint an August 2005 interview with the Blackhall Gaels clubman. ********* Meath referee David Coldrick is one of the country's top match officials, despite being on the right side of 30. The Batterstown native tells Hogan Stand magazine how much he enjoys his chosen hobby. The first question we put to David is why he should choose such a task. Many believe that referees need a 'thick skin' to deal with the abuse received on occasions by irate players, club officials or indeed supporters. However, David feels that if he is on top of his game, there should be no problems and that the satisfaction of knowing you did a good job is reward enough. "I suppose the reason I first took up refereeing was that I felt I could make a difference. I was only 17 at the time and you know no different. I talked to the Meath Co-ordinator at the time, Paddy Dwyer and took the relevant courses after that," said David. "A referee has to keep a consistent concentration level throughout a match, which is difficult to do at times. If this can be achieved, then generally matches will go by without any real fuss. If a player over steps the mark, they have to go, it's as simple as that." David made the rise from underage and club adult matches to the intercounty scene, when in 1998 he was added to the provisional panel. His talent was soon recognised as only two years later, the Blackhall Gaels clubman was in charge of National Football league matches. Like all good referees, David has an excellent and reliable backroom team that have been helping him out since he first picked up a whistle in 1993. His team have a family look about it as his father, brother and uncle all don the umpires' white coat. "I'm very lucky with the team of officials that I have and would like to thank them for their help over the years. Without them, it would make my task a lot harder. They have been with me since I first started. My father Benny, John (brother), Gerry Lynch (uncle), Tony Kearney, Bernard Corbett and James Gaughan have all been very reliable down through the years and I hope to have them alongside me for a long time to come," stressed David. Referees have taken centre stage for a number of reasons this year. The experimental rules in the league campaigns and Brian McEniff's recent comments that Ulster referees should take charge of all championship matches in the province have propelled match officials into the limelight. David has opinions on these matters and it is no surprise to learn that he begs to differ with McEniff's comments on Ulster matches while he also feels that one area of the experimental rules should have been kept in place. "I really felt that the initial 'sin bin' rule should have been kept in place and given more time. When the mandatory sending off came in for a yellow card offence, it upset the momentum of the game. The 'sin bin' wasn't as harsh and could have improved the game. However, there were too many people against introducing it on a permanent basis and it was never going to get passed at Congress," he said. "In the case of Brian McEniff's comments, I believe that no matter who referees any match, the same rules apply and if a player makes a foul, he has to be punished accordingly. In any case, the Down v. Fermanagh match saw five players dismissed and the referee was a Donegal man!" For those people who believe that refereeing is just a case of turning up at a match and going through the motions, then nothing could be further from the truth as a top class referee like David Coldrick has to go through a number of tests on an annual basis to stay on top of their game. Just like any intercounty player, preparation is the key to a good game. "The National body of referees meet in Athlone once a month to discuss any matters on the agenda. We also have two physical tests a year to make sure we can keep up with the pace of a game," added David. "At every inter county match, there is a referee's assessor who sends in a report on how an official performed in the game. "This can determine whether a referee will be appointed to the top matches or not. Therefore, at all times, you have to be alert, because one mistake could see you demoted down the list. I know I always look back on my performance and think should I have given a decision one way or another. It definitely plays on your mind for a few days later." The fact that David is still relatively young means that he could be still playing for his club, however, he revealed that he was forced to make a decision a few years back on whether to continue his flourishing refereeing career and quit playing Gaelic football. David said: "I just couldn't give the time needed to the club and I felt that I should give up playing altogether. It was a tough decision as I enjoyed playing, but the demands of refereeing mean that almost every weekend is taken up going to games. When you are refereeing inter county matches that could mean travelling anywhere in the country." Despite being a top intercounty referee that has take charge of such matches as the recent Munster Final between Cork and Kerry, Armagh v. Fermanagh in this year's Ulster football championship and last year's Tommy Murphy Cup final between Clare and Sligo at Croke Park. David still finds time to referee underage matches in Meath, an unfamiliar situation for a man of his standing. "I still do underage matches when I can. Mainly because there is a shortage of referees at that level and I give the county board a hand out if possible. During the summer I could do three or four matches a week at any level and although it's time consuming, it helps that I live in Blanchardstown and usually don't have that far to travel, especially to matches in south Meath," he pointed out. David's biggest honour in the game to date was being named the Meath Referee of the Year 2004, the same year that he was in charge of his first county final when Skyrne defeated Simonstown Gaels in the decider. Like all referees, his ultimate aim would be to walk out on Croke Park's hollowed turf on a certain Sunday in September. "Of course being in charge of an All-Ireland football final would be the highlight of my career. I don't think any referee would be any different. Referees get the same buzz as players during big matches and there is none bigger than the All-Ireland final," stressed David. The Blanchardstown-based referee has been working for Irish Life for the past eight years. David's role in the Insurance Company is that of Group Actuarial Manager. Irish Life was founded in 1939 and has been taking care of their customer's needs for over 60 years. They have become one of the most successful financial organisations in the country. Irish Life offer a range of products covering investment, protection, pension and saving schemes, while they can be contacted six days a week on their customer helpline. There is no doubt that such a talented referee like David Coldrick will one day grace Croke Park on All-Ireland final day to fulfil his dream of taking charge of Gaelic football's biggest prize and who knows that day could well be in the next few months. Tweet

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