Lorraine O’Sullivan is a Galway girl. But when she was 12, the family moved to the shores of Donegal.
Her love of sport bloomed there. At Letterkenny Rovers. And St Eunan’s.
With Eunan’s, she won everything except the parish bingo.
“We had good success. County and Ulster Championships, too,” she says.
She wore the jersey of Donegal and got to relish the diamond days.
“We have good memories of St Tiernach’s Park in Clones. We won a lot of our Donegal and provincial titles there.”
In 2011, she found herself captaining Na Fianna to the Dublin Senior Ladies' Football Championship title.
She was a full-back. They beat Ballyboden St Enda’s at Parnell Park.
It was a formidable Na Fianna team. Mary Nevin and Bernie Finlay were the sharpest of attackers.
Na Fianna went on to win Leinster. And they reached the All-Ireland final, denied by Carnacon and a superstar of the sport, Cora Staunton.
The final was played at Ballymahon in Longford. Cora scored 1-9 (0-4 frees).
“Cora was at the height of her playing days back then,” reflects Lorraine.
These days, the Mayo icon is one of the most respected football pundits.
A team-mate from Lorraine’s Donegal and Glasnevin days, Nadine Doherty, is also making her mark on the wireless.
She’s on 2FM’s ‘Game On’ every Wednesday evening covering ladies' football. She also has a weekly column in the Sunday Independent.
In the 2011 Dublin final, Nadine scored three points. Another of Lorraine’s favourite footballers, Nora Stapleton, hit 1-1.
“Nora was a brilliant footballer. And a real all-rounder. She was also a fabulous soccer player, and, of course, she went to play rugby for Ireland.”
In 2014, Lorraine was back in the number 3 shirt as the Mobhi Road side lifted the Michael Murphy Cup once more.
In a final for the ages, they overcame Foxrock Cabinteely by two points in Swords.
Playing alongside her in defence that evening was Leah Caffrey.
“Leah is flying at the moment. She has had an outstanding career,” states Lorraine.”
“And the Dublin team have had some tremendous years. They are such a wonderful side.”
When Lorraine put the boots under the stairs, Lyn Savage encouraged her to become a referee.
“I did a few juvenile games. Under-13 and Under-14. I was nervous for the few outings, but then I took to it.”
She has taken charge of some big fixtures since, in Dublin and on the national stage.
Fitness is a prime requirement. “You have to put the work in. You have to be fit in order to run up and down the pitch.
“If you are not fit, you won’t enjoy it and you are not being fair to the teams.
“I really got to enjoy refereeing. You get to see many teams and how they are set up. All the different styles and systems.
“It gives you another lens, if you like, into the game. And it’s a nice way of staying involved.
“It’s a good option for people. You’d love to see more people get involved. Young people especially should be praised and valued when they go out refereeing.
“There is a big need for referees now in Dublin. When I finished playing, there were something like eight divisions. It was the start of the cup last week and I saw there were 12 divisions.
“It’s great to see that growth, but at the same time, we need the referees to cover all those games.
“I have had very few problems refereeing. The clubs are very good. Like the players, you go out to give your best.
“It’s uplifting when young referees come on board. The LGFA run excellent referee courses.
“From the playing end, I have seen the standards rise hugely since I retired some years ago. The levels have gone up so much.
“And the biggest rise of all is in the under-16 and minor grades. The depth of talent there is so impressive.
“All the refs say the same thing – you certainly have to be fit to keep up with those games because they are end to end. The football is so skilful and open.”
Last term, Lorraine was part of Gerry Donohoe’s Na Fianna management crew that guided the side to the Dublin Senior Championship final.
Kilmacud Crokes prevailed in a cracking spectacle that had Donnycarney rocking under the lights.
This season, Lorraine is stepping back from the coaching to give more time to the refereeing.
“When I was coaching, I wasn’t doing as much refereeing. Just mostly juvenile matches.
“I’m injured at the moment. I twisted my knee. But I’m looking forward to getting back out soon.”
She’d be delighted to see more former players and others join her in whistling a happy tune.
