Murphy not bitter at demotion

IT wasn’t how he’d like it to have happened – we all like to leave on our terms, regardless of situation – but the confirmation he hasn’t made the nominated top 10 hurling referees for the championship has nevertheless been greeted with his usual good grace by Dickie Murphy.

Long recognised as one of the top whistlers in the game, and certainly the most experienced of those currently operating, the popular Wexford man was renowned for a style that leaned far more towards facilitator than autocrat. The call to omit him from this year’s top 10 comes as a surprise, but, Murphy wasn’t in a mood to criticise the Croke Park decision makers last night.

Murphy said: “I didn’t make it and I’m disappointed; I won’t pretend otherwise. But look, life goes on. I took my first senior championship match in Leinster in 1989 at 21 years ago, so, it’s been a long time at this level.

“The end had to come sometime. It’s a subjective thing – it’s like me refereeing a match, I make a lot of calls, I expect people to accept them. Croke Park came up with the 10 lads, I’m not one of them, I just have to get on with it.”

According to Murphy, there was no reason given, no phone call of explanation for his omission.

“No, they just picked 10 in hurling, 18 in football, and in fairness to them (National Referees’ Committee) they told us some time ago that this was what they were going to do.

“Those 10 are going to be doing all the championship matches, no-one else involved, and in that sense it’s probably a good way of doing it. I can see their point in creating a top tier. Ok, I’m not in the 10, but at least those who are, are going to get to referee a few more championship matches this year.

“Instead of them trying to keep everyone happy, maybe a fella getting only one match in the year, everyone will now get a few matches – the fella who does the All-Ireland final will probably do four or five big matches in the lead up to it.

“There are different grades now – they are the grade one referees, the next level is grade two, and I’m still on that, so we’ll be getting to run the line, or be the stand-by ref, fourth official and that sort of thing.

“Whether you feel you should have been in the top ten or not, it was up to others to decide, and I’ve always accepted those kind of decisions.

“I’m not one bit bitter about it, matches will go on with or without Dickie Murphy and I’ve never been under any illusions about that.

“Cork play Tipperary this weekend, Wexford play Galway – I’ll be in the stands for that, and will enjoy it.

“For me, I was coming to the end anyway; I’m not saying I’m going to retire in the morning but this is probably my last year, that’s the way it’s looking anyway. I refereed my first Wexford senior county final in 1985, 25 years ago, Buffers Alley and the Harriers, a long time ago. I started young and I suppose I’m finishing young now too!

“But the 50-year (mandatory retirement) rule was going to come in next year anyway, so that would have been that – I’ll be 49 later this year and would have gone then anyway.”

There have been plenty of highlights along the way. “I’ve had a good career and been very lucky. I’ve done four senior All-Ireland finals (1992, 95, 97 and 98), three club All-Ireland finals, two U-21s.”

A mantelpiece full of trophies then? “There’s still room for the retirement one – I’m keeping an opening for that!”

From a 25-year club career, 21-year inter-county, what are the best memories?

“As a saga the meeting of Kiltormer and Cashel in the 1992 All-Ireland club semi-final, that took three matches. The first one was in Cashel, the replay was in Ballinasloe, went to extra-time and still finished level before it went onto Croke Park. Those were three great games.

“I think those matches put me on the map and that year I went on to referee the All-Ireland club final, the National League final, the Ulster final and the All-Ireland final. Those three games got me a name for myself, I think.”

He continued: “At inter-county level, any of the All-Ireland finals – when you get them, it’s the greatest feeling.

“I suppose for drama and for atmosphere, the 1997 final between Clare and Tipperary was the standout.

“Best memories of all, however, are the friends you make. Okay, you meet a few people who wouldn’t be too fond of you either, but you meet so many great people, among the players especially.

“I was privileged to go on a lot of great trips also, and I refereed in Australia, Asia, America, England. There are so many places, so many memories and best of all were the friends I made.”