Meath referee David Coldrick has written a very illuminating blog about what a referee goes through the week before taking charge of an All-Ireland final.
Coldrick, who reffed the 2007 and 2010 All-Ireland finals, revealed that Eddie Kinsella will likely have been phoned on Monday morning with news of his appointment.
The phone call is usually made on the Monday morning so you’re checking your mobile constantly... I would like to let you know that the national appointments committee has appointed you as referee for this year’s All Ireland senior football final. Are you happy to accept the appointment?”. Let me think……of course I am!
Coldrick said that the final referee is invariably picked from one of the four refs handed an All-Ireland quarter-final assignment. If you haven't reffed a quarter-final, you can forget about the final.
Intriguingly Coldrick said a huge amount hinges on that quarter-final, and that the ref has to hope it passes without 'a major incident.'
He clarifies that by 'major incident' he does not necessarily mean a refereeing mistake (although he concedes it could also be that). He means something that approximately half the football community and media figures believe is a mistake, regardless of what the rules say.
Read the enlightening post here.
