Umpires are the most underappreciated stalwarts in the GAA.
Umpires are faceless. They are unrecognisable. But they are absolutely vital.
Supporters think that umpires have the easiest job in the world.
“Sure all they have to do is raise the white flag if it’s over the bar, it’s a handy gig.”
If they do their job correctly, they receive no praise whatsoever. If they make a mistake, boy are they in bother.
They don’t get any reward out of it either. The men in the white coats travel all over the country with their referees without seeing a cent for mileage.
The only reward they get is a feed after the game which is provided to them by their referees.
Offaly referee Brian Gavin revealed recently just how much his umpires take advantage of this feed, however.
“The only thing about them is they love the grub,” said Gavin to the Irish Times.
“I’m out of pocket feeding the f**kers.
Refereeing for 50 cents a mile and then feeding these four big hungry fellas is not easy,” revealed the Clara club man.
Apart from their overstated appetites, umpires are extremely important to a referee. A referee’s confidants, their right-hand men.
“You need fellas you can trust. That’s the most important thing. I was lucky, the four lads I got early, they’re all fairly good at it and they understand the game. A bond builds between yourself and umpires. A trust. When you’re going to matches and coming home from matches, you bounce ideas off them,” revealed Gavin.
Long live the men in the white coats and long live their appetites.
