Seconds Out: Stories of Irish Boxing - Referees and Judges

"The most important thing for anyone reference being a referee and judge is to be honest. To be honest to yourself when you sit down to make a decision and to be honest to the boxers who you are making a decision for", so says National Registrar, Stephen Connolly, in the latest installment of Seconds Out: Stories of Irish Boxing.

This short film is part of a series of shorts on Irish Boxing – Seconds Out: Stories of Irish Boxing, commissioned by IABA and produced by Lowki Culture, and supported by Sport Ireland. Focusing on R&Js, the film features contributions from National Registrar Stephen Connolly, former National Registrar and 3 Star R&J, Philip Rooney, John Mongan of Olympic BC Galway, Jim Murrin of St. Brigid's BC Edenderry and Eugene Duffy of St. Joseph's BC, Derry.

There are in excess of 2,000 Referees and Judges at club, provincial and national level throughout the Association, who give hundreds of hours of their time, annually, to the officiating of bouts.

Jim Murrin says "My main thing is to see a battle in the ring, because I think it's great for the audience and good for everyone else - and the skill, as well, of boxers. Girls and lads" and, he adds "The main thing is staying calm in the ring, because if you show any bit of fear at all, both boxers will pick up that the Referee won't give a warning or won't give a count....especially if you're nervous in there. You learn these things as you go along"

Philip Rooney says boxer safety is his top priority "Number one: the priority is the safety of them two boxers. Geography doesn't come in to your way of processing, of thinking. It can't....Its that constant nin the ring with boxers, be they male or female, that gives you the edge to prepare for the next one, and you can correct yourself. I find that if Referees and Judges do not correct themselves or ask for advice, they aren't learning anything. I still have a buzz to learn"

John Mongan says "Every contest is different. There's highs and lows and, of course, when you come to higher level, to the Elites, that's a pressure one. You prepare yourself, you prepare your mind for it, mentally, physically. When it comes to exams, that's another, because you've got these examiners looking at you, these evaluators looking at you. These TDs....It can be very very daunting at times. But, as it comes back, the safety of the boxer is No. 1. You call, you make your decision, you stick by your decision. Sometimes you'll be boo'd....it is what it is. You call it, for the safety of the boxer."

Eugene Duffy says "It doesn't matter where you go in the world and what new rules are brought up. People go away (to officiate) and they come back and say this has been changed, and that has been changed. That's going on for 30 odd years. The only thing that can't be changed in honesty, impartiality and fairness"

To qualify as a Referee, boxing club members must first have qualified as a judge and spent a year judging contests in their area. They may then undertake entry-level Referee qualification as part of a two day seminar, and Referee contests firstly, confined to their area and then as experience and skill builds, progress to refereeing at provincial and national level.

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