Laois referee Colin Bailey relishing role

By Cian O’Connell

Colin Bailey is thoroughly enjoying his refereeing adventure in Laois.

An ACL knee injury disturbed Bailey’s footballing days with Mountrath, but staying heavily involved in GAA matters was part of the plan.

Significant progress has been made in a short space of time by Bailey, who is now part of the Leinster and National Support Referee panels. “I suffered an ACL injury, and I was never right after it,” Bailey explains.

“It was killing me sitting on the sideline, going to matches, I just wanted to be involved somehow. So, my father and grandfather, before me, were refs, and I said I might as well give it a go.

“I started two and a half years ago. I've really progressed. In Laois, you start off with underage games, you move up to junior. Last year I'd a great year, I got to do a few senior football games and hurling games for adult first teams.

“I'd a junior final in O'Moore Park, a load of finals. I'd my first inter-county match in Nowlan Park last year and I got Referee of the Year in Laois, somehow, which was a nice way to top it off,” he laughs.

Bailey has relished the challenge of being referee. “It is very different when you're in the middle of the field,” Bailey says.

“When you're playing, people aren't watching you all the time in a match. When you've the ball, people are watching you, that'd be it. As a referee, you've to be locked in for the 60 or 70 minutes you're doing a match.

“You've eyes on you; they're watching everything you're doing. Obviously, scrutinising everything you're doing, to an extent. I'd say you've to be laser focused, more than a player would be as a referee.”

There is joy in the journey, but Bailey acknowledges that a competitive element can help referees flourish. “When I was playing, I was a competitor,” Bailey remarks.

“I'd be very competitive at anything. We're very close knit the referees in Laois, and all the other referees I've met around the country. With my competitive streak, I want to get better the whole time. I want to get better games. I want to get the same level games as referees that have been doing it for a long time.

“I love it, I really enjoy it, and it keeps me fit, it keeps you in a healthy lifestyle. You can be competitive with it too, just trying to get games that matter throughout the year, like county finals. That is the goal for everyone of us there, we want to get county finals.

“My goal is to prove throughout the year that you're consistent in what you're doing. That means you'll be competitive, to be in the mix for county final spots.

“I enjoy it, but that bit of competitiveness with the other referees to get good matches, that is healthy, too. It keeps us all at a level and improving every year.”

The refereeing community in Laois have been extremely supportive. Help and advice is available. “Without a doubt,” Bailey responds instantly. “Vinny Dowling in Laois and Danny Gorman would be the main guys that give out matches for hurling and football.

“They've been very good to me. When I started, they'd always answer the phone. When I progressed to do more adult games, Maurice Deegan, he stepped in, Padraic Dunne, and Séamus Mulhare, who did the junior final in Croke Park.

“They'd all step up when they'd see you progressing. In fairness, with the likes of Maurice and Séamus, it would never be bad criticism, it would always be constructive.

“They want to help you. They want to see younger people coming through. As a referee, I probably would be considered one of the younger ones out there, at this level.”

For Bailey, a consistent approach is key. “I know every referee has a bit of a different reffing style, watching things more than others,” he says. “Clubs don't have to play to the referee, but to an extend they've to understand how a referee enforces the rules. It is about being consistent.

“A lad from Portlaoise rang me, he was thinking about taking it up, I'd encourage anybody to do it. The younger you do it, the better.

“The earlier you start it, the earlier you get the chance to get into a Leinster or National Panel. I'm on the Leinster panel and the National Support Panel this year which is a great achievement for me - I've only been doing it three years.”

Following an encouraging spell, Bailey remains, willing, and able to learn. “I think how you were as a player will have a bearing on how you're as a referee,” Bailey reflects.

“As a player I was very focused, I wouldn't be one for chit chat. Some lads would be chatting, I wouldn't be. I'd be very quiet and just focused on my own job. I'm the same refereeing.

“You'd have players trying to talk to you, you'd explain a decision to them, no problem. I wouldn't have much time for chit chat because it takes away your focus, and you might miss something. You've to be in your zone.

“Refereeing is brilliant, it is a great way to be involved in your community or county. You'll make a lot of new friends along the way, but at the same time, there must be give and take.

“You need to be as professional as you can, it doesn't matter if it's an U15 hurling league game or a senior inter-county league game up in Croke Park. You've to go in, just give it the same commitment each time you go out on the field.”

That approach is serving Bailey well so far.

Our Games can’t happen without referees. Take the whistle. Take the lead.

Find out how to get involved at gaa.ie/referee