AWARD FOR REF CONOR
BANTEER/LYRE GAA acknowledged a terrific achievement by one of its most famous sons, Conor Lane, who refereed the recent All Ireland Final between Dublin and Mayo.
All square at the full time whistle of a tough battle yet the consensus is the Cork official performed extremely well in most difficult conditions.
At a special get together in the Glen Theatre, club members paid tribute to Conor’s dedication and rise in prominence to become one of the country’s top referees.
“You’ve to keep your feet on the ground, to do the best you can, to be as anonymous as you can be on the day. It is the players’ day out, you apply the rules, I don’t want to be seen or heard afterwards”, he said.
All Ireland Final weekend began on the previous day for Conor and his team with a briefing, National Referees Development Body Chairman, Sean Walsh reminded everyone just how vital their roles were.
“I felt confident in my ability though the nerves did seep in once the national anthem was completed, the linesmen went their separate ways and I was alone in front of 82,000 supporters”, said Conor.
The Corkman earned plaudits for his handling of the game that was played with great intensity in slippery and wet conditions. There was much speculation on the additional time played at the finish yet Conor explained the extended time frame of more than seven minutes.
“This season the GAA introduced a directive to referees calling on them to add on 20 seconds per substitution made and with 12 switches on the day, that accounted for four minutes before any other halts to play were taken into consideration”, he said.
The former Banteer hurling Chairman intends to attend the replay as a spectator with Maurice Deegan from Laois as match referee.
“Maurice is an experienced official, he was part of my team for the drawn game. His advice was most welcome and learning from my experience, I’ve no doubt that he will let the game flow”, he said.
Conor got hooked on refereeing from 2005 after being part of othe fficiating teams of Richard Murphy and John Geaney. “I got into refereeing in Duhallow and the County Minor Board. It took off, progressing onto county and Munster ranks, the next step is getting into national level and progressing into the championship panel”, he said.
And to be part of a current day referees panel involves stringent training, preparations and assessments.
“There are fitness tests, I run in Banteer on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Mondays and Wednesdays involving gym sessions and matches at the weekend. Players are fit and the onus is on refs to keep up with the pace of the game”, he said.
Conor applauds the involvement of his own team of regular officials in D J O’Sullivan, Ray Hergarty, Pat Kelly and his father John Joe in addition to fellow club members who support him in Duhallow and County fixtures.
County Board Development Officer Richard Murphy spoke of a great honour for a Banteer/Lyre clubman to officiate on the biggest stage in the gaelic games calender.
“The recruitment of referees is a priority, Conor’s selection and performance in the All Ireland Finalwill give those interested an appetite to take on the job”, he said.
Banteer hurling chairman Colum Buckley and Lyre football vice chairman Tom Mannix spoke of the terrific honour bestowed on Conor to officiate on All Ireland Final Day with fellow clubmen John Joe Lane and D J O’Sullivan also involved. A proud occasion was tinged with sadness, the untimely death of Lyre Chairman Pat Murphy earlier in the year was acknowledged, as was his trojan work for club, division and county.