Maggie Farrelly says she ships the same verbal abuse as her male inter-county referee colleagues.
The ground-breaking Cavan whistler continues to climb the refereeing ladder, making the National League panel for the first time this year.
But her status and rise in officiating circles doesn’t leave her immune from the consistent abuse referees have to put up with.
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“It's definitely the same type of abuse that we all get,” she said, speaking as Supervalu launched their sponsorship of the Football Championship.
“There's no difference if you're male or female and I think that's just the way it is.
“It's part and parcel of our game. It's nearly like if you don't get it you're wondering why, to a certain extent.
“Regardless of whether you're a male or female, I think we're all subjected to it to a certain degree.”
Farrelly says that “by and large people are respectful,” but that when it crosses the line she has to keep a cool head.
“Of course there are episodes where you are subjected to abuse but again it's how you deal with that,” the Laragh United club women said.
“It's part and parcel of it now and I suppose it's about not getting overwhelmed or annoyed about it.
“I suppose once you cross the white line you're a referee and once you come out the other side after 60 or 70 minutes you're just yourself.
“You're back to Margaret Farrelly or Maggie Farrelly and you've got your day job come Monday morning.”
Farrelly has two brothers who umpire for her and club people who have helped her with umpiring from day one.
But her parents tend to stay away from games she officiates in: “My mother and father have only ever been I’d say at two games in their whole life watching me as a referee.
“One was in Croke Park when I refereed the All-Ireland ladies final in 2014 and the second occasion was last year in Breffni Park when I refereed my senior county final (Cavan mens).
“They definitely supported me from a distance, but definitely not on the field of play and I think that’s fine.
“At the end of the day you don’t want to subject them to maybe instances in the stand either, so they are as well just to stay at home.”
Farrelly says recruitment of referees is challenging, and that it won’t work unless an individual wants to take up the whistle.
“You can never be forced into this,” she continued.
“Probably because of the stigma that's associated sometimes with refereeing and the level of abuse that referees do get from time to time, it can put people off.
“Within my club, people are always saying to me, 'Jeez, I don't know how you do that,' or, 'Why would you put yourself in that position?' when you were starting out or whatever.
“But it's something that you want to do rather than being forced into doing it.
“If you're forced into doing it, then you're not there for the right reasons I suppose but there is a massive scarcity of cover for games.”
Farrelly says building a good team of umpires is the first port of call for any referee.
“Even if you start off with a minimum of two, at least that you've got yourself covered in terms of what's happening on the opposite side of the pitch,” she says.
“They can be your sounding board and give you some support in terms of, maybe I should have done something differently.
“You don't want yes men or yes women to be part of your team because they're only agreeing with what you have said.
“You want someone that's going to be able to advise you and give you feedback in a constructive way.
“Not only do you have to recruit referees but you also have to be able to support them in terms of umpires and with the possibility of a mentor.
“Someone who is already established as a referee and can give a wee bit of guidance and support.
“Maybe to travel and watch the game and come and give a wee bit of feedback at half-time.
“It could be a simple thing like you're not blowing the whistle strong enough, or you're not pointing to indicate what way the free has been given.
“That can frustrate players and spectators.”
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