REFEREE BILLY FALVEY 1993

Billy Falvey, the AUL Referee of the Year 1992/93, started refereeing by


accident. In 1968, he went to a schoolboys game as spectator. No ref turned up and Billy was encouraged to take charge. He did and that led to more requests from Schoolboys League fixtures secretary Pat Long.



That makes its 25 years of refereeing for Billy. One of his best seasons was in 1984 when he took charge of the AOH final and was then promoted to the League of Ireland panel where he spent three years.



Schoolboy refereeing was a bit hap hazard at the time that Falvey started out and he helped in getting it on a proper footing. He was one of the founders of the Cork Amateur Referees Society, which was set up in conjunction with the Schoolboys League. In 1975, the work of the group was recognised when two members including Falvey, lined for an Ireland v France Schoolboys international at Flower Lodge.



Falvey, who had continued to play intermediate with Glasheen (he had also

played youths with the club), was now catching the attention of Owen McCarthy. Owen knew a good refereeing prospect when he saw one and it was he who encouraged Billy to join the professional branch. An injury which stopped his playing career helped Falvey make up his mind.



Once into the society, Billy played a full role in the affairs of the Cork section of the ISRS and had the honour to be chairman in 1985 when the branch celebrated its 25th anniversary. Falvey is a man who keeps himself in tip top shape and don't be surprised if you see him involved in the 50th anniversary celebrations.