Man in the Middle ➡️ Brendan Toland

Name: Brendan Toland

Club: Lámh Dhearg CLG

Favourite ground to referee at: Casement Park - when it was operational. And it’s hard to beat a championship game at Ahoghill, where the hospitality is amazing, especially the homemade bread and tea at half time.

Favourite county referee past /present: Past: Pat McEnaney, Monaghan (football) and Dickey Murphy, Wexford (hurling); Present: David Gough, Meath (football) and James McGrath, Westmeath (hurling)

Best game you have ever seen: Dublin v Mayo All Ireland All Ireland Football semi-final in 2010.

Most memorable game you have refereed: 2013 Senior Football Final: St Galls v Cargin at Ahoghill. It was a very sporting game that had everything from stunning football to missed penalties and a ball being cleared off the line in the final minute to give St Galls a hard-fought win.

Do you think referees train as hard as most club players? Referees need to be reasonably fit in order to keep up with the game. Particularly at this time of the year, most referees are doing two or three games a week so they need to be on top of things. All championship referees in Antrim have to pass both a fitness test and a written rules test before they can referee Championship games.

What made you decide to become a referee? I wanted to stay involved with the GAA but didn’t want to become involved in coaching. Frankie Quinn, the current County Secretary, suggested that I should take up refereeing in 2006 and I have been involved ever since.

Best thing about refereeing? Being able to keep involved with the local game. It also gives an opportunity to offer something back, having derived so much enjoyment from playing. Plus – it helps you keep fit!

Worst thing about refereeing? The verbal abuse that you take particularly from mentors and spectators who seem to think that it is acceptable to shout abuse at the referee throughout the game.

What attributes do you think are necessary for a referee: You need to be calm, level-headed, thick-skinned and totally impartial. Despite what players, mentors and supporters might think, ultimately the referee does not care who wins the game.

What would you say to anyone thinking of becoming a referee? I would definitely recommend refereeing. There are far more highs than lows and the ability to stay involved in Gaelic games after you have retired from playing is priceless.

Volunteers of note: In terms of refereeing, the work that Paddy Quinn and Gregory Walsh do is immeasurable, yet it goes virtually un-noticed. I would also have to mention my own umpire team who accompany me to all Championship games. They know who they are!!

Outside of Antrim, what county team’s results do you look out for? Galway in hurling and Tyrone in football.

Favourite tipple: Bottle of Bud.

Favourite food: Italian.

Favourite film: The Godfather.

Favourite holiday destination: USA.

Favourite singer: Christy Moore.

If you could invite three people – alive or dead – to dinner, who would they be? Billy Connolly, Jose Mourinho and Christy Moore.

Best thing about the GAA: The lifelong friends that you make along the way and the sense of community spirit in our association.