Meet the Referee- Gerry Carmody

We continue our series introducing our intercounty referees to you. Today, we would like you to meet Mayo’s Gerry Carmody.

Gerry is one of the best referees in the game and tomorrow he takes charge of the TG4 Senior All Ireland Semi Final between Cork and Monaghan at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick:

Name: Ger Carmody

County: Mayo

When did you start refereeing? I got involved with LGFA in 2008

What do you think is the toughest part of refereeing? Mentors and managers who don’t know the rules of the LGFA.

What is your favourite aspect of refereeing? Being involved in a game that is very tight up until the final whistle.

If you could change one thing about refereeing what would it be? A girl who catches a ball from a kick out is allowed a mark, enabling her to kick it without being tackled.

If there was one rule you would like managers to be more aware of what would it be? It would have to be that, girls can not touch the ball inside the 20m line from a goal kick.

If there was one rule you would like players to be more aware of what would it be? A girl can not be legally dispossessed when she has the ball in her body.

Most embarrassing moment on the field: My most embarrassing moment would have to be getting weak on the pitch and not being able to continue refereeing the game.

The highest point of your career to date: Refereeing National League Division 2 Final in 2015, between Armagh and Donegal.

What advice would you give to upcoming referees? To enjoy the game and be well prepared for it.

Sportsperson you would most like to meet: Usain Bolt

What other sports are you interested in? Soccer, Hurling and Athletics.

Last film you watched: Now You See Me 2.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? The Algarve, Portugal.

What would you not leave home without? My Wife!

What is your ultimate goal as a referee? To referee an All-Ireland Final in Croke Park.