“Everyone has an opinion on the referee”

Colm O’Connor spoke to Wexford referee-turned hurling selector Dickie Murphy about the difficulties of being the man in black.

Why did you become a referee?

“I was district secretary of Bord na nÓg in Wexford and we had trouble getting fellows to ref games. So I ended up referring district finals in the county. I really enjoyed it. I was still playing at the time and I think that people and players had more respect for me because of that. It’s hard to believe that I started almost 25 years ago. I am 42 now and still have a few more years to go. I have had four All-Ireland finals, and have travelled to Australia, America and around the world with it, so I have no complaints.”