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11-year League of Ireland referee is set for history-making career change as he takes advantage of new rules
Michael Connolly will live out the dream of his late-grandfather when he joins the guards
'IN FAMILY DNA' 11-year League of Ireland referee is set for history-making career change as he takes advantage of new rules
A LEAGUE of Ireland referee is set to become the oldest ever Garda College graduate at Templemore.
Michael Connolly is set to be sworn in as a full member of An Garda Síochána on August 22.
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Michael claims he can take a lot of skills from refereeing into the police force
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The Donegal-based referee will make history within the gardai
Credit: @gardainsta_college
The Tyrone man has been on the League of Ireland panel for 11 years, mainly refereeing in the First Division and Women's Premier Division.
The 50-year-old will become the oldest to ever become a member of An garda Síochána with the age limit recently allowing him to do so.
In 2023, the garda age limit rose from 35 to 50 years old, having been set at 26 back in 2004.
With the gardai now accepting people up to 50 years old to join, it gives an opportunity for people like Michael to join.
Michael would encourage anyone in his age bracket to take the plunge and also join the police force.
When speaking to the Limerick Leader, the Aghyayn native said: 'I encourage anybody in our age group to go for it.
"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.'
A lot of Michael's refereeing skills can easily be transferred into the Guards.
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Michael shared: '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.
'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.'
FAMILY AFFAIR
Michael will live out the dream of his grandfather - who he is named after - when he joins the police force.
The future garda added: "I've always had a grá to join the guards. 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.
"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, Templemore 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, tick 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.'
