Tipp official hears good news while on holiday in South Africa

A BOLT from the blue was how Brian Tyrell described the news that he had been appointed referee to next Sunday’s Munster Club SFC final in Killarney.

Currently on holiday in South Africa, the Tipperary man received the great news via a text message on a mobile phone from his county colleague Willie Barrett and had been itching to get home very since.

"I went on holidays never dreaming that I was in with a chance of getting Sunday's final. So when I was informed that I had been appointed, you can imagine my surprise, particularly as I'm so far away from home.

"Hopefully there will be no problems with the flight home. I'll swim it if I have to. I don't want anything to prevent me from refereeing this final, and all going well I'll have a run out on the Clonmel pitch on Saturday at about 3 pm. It's a tremendous honour to be appointed for such a prestigious match, and I'm really looking forward to the challenge," said Tyrell.

While enjoying a holiday of a lifetime, Brian has had to keep his fitness levels up, and has been seen regularly pounding the sandy beaches of the African Continent since hearing of his appointment.

"The weather here has been excellent. Today is the only bad day we've had so far. It's been raining for most of it, but what's new? I understand it hasn't stopped in Ireland since we left.

"I must be the youngest at 27 years of age, to take charge of a Munster club final. I'm only refereeing for about seven years and have officiated at several big games at minor, under 21, junior and senior, but this is my first major final.

"I wasn't a very good player, and caught the refereeing bug after becoming involved with PJ Croby (Clonmel) as an umpire. Hurling was my first choice but the shortage of football referees within the county changed all that."

Tyrell first took up refereeing as a 20- year-old and following a highly successful period at under age, moved on to adult competitions, and hasn't looked back.

Now seven years on, he stands on the threshold of his biggest day as a referee, and in his own words is, "hoping everything goes well for me".

Being a referee is no easy job and it takes a special breed of person to take on that role. Tyrell has learned to take the rough with the smooth and can point to never having had a serious problem at a match under his control.

"My philosophy is to let players know who is in charge from the start, and then try and let the game flow while at the same time keeping control. Players become very frustrated with too much whistle and that can lead to problems for a referee.

"From what I know about Nemo Rangers and Monaleen, they are two footballing teams and that suits me fine.

"Taking charge of such an important final is a tremendous honour and I'm looking forward to what should be a great game of football."