50-year-old soccer referee to become oldest garda ever attested at Templemore

Donegal-based Michael Connolly will make history on August 22, when he is sworn in as a full member of An Garda Síochána.

Having turned 50 in April, Connolly will become the oldest person ever to be attested at the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary.

Currently a Garda trainee in class 244D, Connolly, who is a native of Aghyaran, Co Tyrone, lives in the Glenfin area of Donegal and, as well as officiating locally in Donegal, has also taken charge in the League of Ireland and the Women's National League.

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“I encourage anybody in our age group to go for it,” he said. “I would like to think that one thing that I can bring to the guards is the ability to remain calm no matter how much pressure is in the situation.

“Refereeing probably has trained me to a great extent on that level and in the class we have a discussion where we talk about the number one rule of Garda school - stay calm. And rule number two, if in doubt, see rule one.”

“I've been a referee for 20 odd years, did a bit of Gaelic but mainly soccer. I've been 11 years on the League of Ireland panel after transferring into Donegal - First Division mainly, and the last couple of seasons have been in the Women's National League.”

The decision to join the force was a big one for Connolly, a married father-of-three, although he felt his background in refereeing, in terms of fitness levels and application of rules, would stand to him.

“In terms of the guards, I came down here in December and there are just so many things that can naturally transfer in refereeing into the guards,” he added. “Fitness, obviously, as referees, we did tests three or four times a season, so we have to maintain our fitness. It’s just habit for us - just the way it is. That transferred in really well so in terms of fitness tests, those aspects transferred in really well down here and just didn't have to worry about those sorts of things.

“In laws, soccer is governed by the 17 laws - the laws of the game, they're called so again, it’s a similar situation for the guards, with your sanctions and your penalties. I would like to think that that's workable.”

Connolly admits the thought of becoming a guard was something in his blood and he will now fulfil his grandfather’s dream.

I've always had a grá to join the guards,” Connolly added. “It's in the family DNA. We were told as children that my grandfather - he was called Mickey - in the 1960s had applied to join the guards, but unfortunately, at the time his mother took sick, so he had to stay at home and become a farmer for the rest of his days. That’s always been niggling me, and the fact that I'm called after him as well. That’s why I’m here.

“So in terms of the 35 to 50 year old bracket that have been brought into the guards, Templmore is a fabulous place - your accommodation is laid on, your foot is laid on. It just sets you up. You can focus on your classes, look after your studies, take your boxes and do it needs to be done.

“The one thing I would say is that you do need a supportive environment. If you have my wife and children at home, it's tough some days. My wife has been absolutely fabulous. She's basically been a single parent of three very busy girls for the past nine months odd. Apart from one day when there was an emotional wee lassie, it’s been all good.”