Ulster Rugby v Scarlets

Q&A REFEREE Why did you decide to take up the whistle? I took up rugby union refereeing by pure chance. I was playing ITRA Tag Rugby at Malone back in 2006 with a group of friends. I was asked if I would referee a couple of Tag games, which I did. Brian Lyle, who was the venue Tag manager asked if I’d be interested in completing the USRFR new referee course and I haven’t looked back since. What is the biggest thing you have learned since you started refereeing? The Laws! I didn’t have a background in rugby and as David Wilkinson (former Ulster Rugby Development Manager) said, I referee differently to most other refs, as they have an understanding from a players perspective. I spent a long time reading and re-reading the Law book and constantly bombarding David with silly questions and scenarios to answer. But it helped my understanding and hopefully makes me a better referee. What is your favourite thing about refereeing? I love to get out every Saturday and keeping fit as well. There is great camaraderie between referees and I’ve made some very good friends over the years. What is the most memorable game you’ve been involved with so far? I was very fortunate to be appointed 5th official

B A R R Y O ’ H A R A

at the opening night of Kingspan Stadium. Ulster took on Leinster in a very feisty match with a red card against Ulster’s Tom Court in the first five minutes. What is your pre-match routine like? Normally my kit is packed on a Friday night and set out ready to go. I usually like to be at the ground an hour before kick-off just to help me prepare, say a quick hello to the coaches and try to get team sheets. Then out for a warm up, check studs and chat to the captains. I like to have the formalities over 30 minutes before kick- off to let me start concentrating on the match. What is your ambition as a referee? I have been selected several times as 5th official at Ulster games. The professional game is so different to running out on a Saturday afternoon refereeing an amateur game. I’d love to be involved at that level again in some capacity. What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up refereeing? Stick at it. It’s never going to be a smooth ride, every game is different and you’ll learn something from every game. Refereeing is all about experience, so the more games you get to referee the better you will become.

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