Female referees get the same abuse as males says leading GAA official

Maggie Farrelly says she ships the same verbal abuse as her male inter-county referee colleagues.

The ground-breaking Cavan whistler continues to climb the refereeing ladder, making the National League panel for the first time this year.

But her status and rise in officiating circles doesn’t leave her immune from the consistent abuse referees have to put up with.

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“It's definitely the same type of abuse that we all get,” she said, speaking as Supervalu launched their sponsorship of the Football Championship.

“There's no difference if you're male or female and I think that's just the way it is.

“It's part and parcel of our game. It's nearly like if you don't get it you're wondering why, to a certain extent.

“Regardless of whether you're a male or female, I think we're all subjected to it to a certain degree.”

Farrelly says that “by and large people are respectful,” but that when it crosses the line she has to keep a cool head.

“Of course there are episodes where you are subjected to abuse but again it's how you deal with that,” the Laragh United club women said.

“It's part and parcel of it now and I suppose it's about not getting overwhelmed or annoyed about it.

“I suppose once you cross the white line you're a referee and once you come out the other side after 60 or 70 minutes you're just yourself.

“You're back to Margaret Farrelly or Maggie Farrelly and you've got your day job come Monday morning.”

Farrelly has two brothers who umpire for her and club people who have helped her with umpiring from day one.

But her parents tend to stay away from games she officiates in: “My mother and father have only ever been I’d say at two games in their