Mick Curley
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name = Mick Curley
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| birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|51|2005|2|4}}
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| hometown = Glinsk
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| occupation = Retired Garda Síochana superintendent
| years_active = {{c.}} 1990s–present
| employer = GAA
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| other_interests = National Referees' Association
| sport = Gaelic football
| position = Referee
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Michael "Mick" Curley (born 1953/1954) is a former Gaelic football referee from County Galway.
Career
Curley refereeing career peaked in the 1990s when he officiated the 1999 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final, the only one between 1998 and 2001 not to involve his native Galway. He officiated Leinster SFC, Munster SFC and Ulster SFC finals, as well as three Connacht SFC finals. He quit refereeing in 2005, citing issues with knee cartilage as hampering his fitness.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/curley-to-join-referee-exodus-25998104.html|title=Curley to join referee exodus|work=Irish Independent|first=Colm|last=Keys|date=4 February 2005}}
He also officiated the 1998 and 1999 International Rules Series.{{cite web | url=http://footystats.freeservers.com/Footystats/Aust-Ireland.html#1999 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006072553/http://footystats.freeservers.com/Footystats/Aust-Ireland.html#1999 | archive-date=6 October 2014 | title=Aust-Ireland.HTML }}
Following a 1999 National League game between Cavan and Wexford at Breffni Park, the Wexford manager Jo Jo Barrett assaulted Curley and received a two-year ban.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/jo-jos-passion-play-proved-a-step-too-far-26258818.html|title=Jo Jo's passion play proved a step too far|work=Sunday Independent|first=Kevin|last=Kimmage|date=4 April 1999}} Barrett approached Curley and punched him in the face.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/contrite-barrett-resigns-but-still-faces-lengthy-ban-26158213.html|title='Contrite' Barrett resigns but still faces lengthy ban|work=Irish Independent|first=Liam|last=Horan|date=30 March 1999}}
As of 2010, Curley was chairman of the National Referees Committee.{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2010/0525/265566-curleym/|title=Referee chief eyes clarity on handpass|publisher=RTÉ|date=25 May 2010}} As of 2010, he was chairman of the National Referees Association,{{Clarify|date=February 2025|reason=Is the National Referees Association separate from the National Referees Committee, or another name for the same group?}} and, as of 2012, was manager of the Annaghdown minor football team.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/curley-condemns-assault-on-referee-in-tipperary-1.654540|title=Curley condemns assault on referee in Tipperary|newspaper=The Irish Times|first=Gavin|last=Cummiskey|date=20 April 2010}}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/abuse-of-match-officials-at-colleges-level-worrying-182479.html|title=Abuse of match officials at colleges level 'worrying'|work=Irish Examiner|first=John|last=Fallon|date=3 February 2012|access-date=14 June 2020}} As well as his position with the National Referees' Committee, Curley has also worked as a Sports Co-ordinator with the County Sports Partnership, in an effort to promote sport in the region and to increase participation.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
Personal life
Curley is a native of Glinsk in the north of County Galway. He was recruited to the Garda Síochana in 1973, initially stationed at Stepaside, Dublin. Two and a half years later, he was transferred to Galway, where he spent most of the rest of his career, from Tynagh and Clifden to a spell in Rosmuc.
In 1996, he was made superintendent in Listowel, County Kerry. From there, he moved to Clifden before taking up the superintendent's position in Salthill, where he stayed until his retirement in December 2006.
As of 2005, he was a Garda superintendent based in Salthill.
References
- {{cite news|url=http://www.gaeliclife.com/2011/11/11/incidents-harmed-the-gaa/|title=Incidents harmed the GAA|work=Gaelic Life}}
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.gaago.ie/fixture/DOC18-BTW "Blowing the Whistle: The life of a GAA referee"] at GAAGO
{{DEFAULTSORT:Curley, Mick}}
Category:All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final referees
Category:Gaelic football managers
Category:Gaelic football referees
Category:Gaelic games administrators
Category:Garda Síochána officers
Category:Police officers from County Galway