GAA: TAKING A BITE OF THE APPLE - QUIGG'S TRANSATLANTIC ADVENTURE

On the hurling field timing is everything and for Micky Quigg, his timing off the field took him to pastures new.   Michael McMullan writes about coaching in the Big Apple and respect in refereeing… --- HE might be over 3000 miles from home, but Micky Quigg’s world is still dominated by hurling.  A deeply-rooted passion for sport does that.  It tails you, it lingers in your shadow and essentially - it defines you.   From Swatragh U10s to Derry minors, from playing to refereeing, Quigg has always had a sliotar flashing around inside his sporting cocoon.  Since his relocation across ‘the pond’ to New York City, little has changed.  Hurling remains his number one wing-man.   When Alan Nash blew the final whistle on this season’s Derry Senior Camogie Final, it copper fastened another success for Slaughtneil.  For one man in Glen that afternoon, the whistle had a greater significance.   Standing in front of the dugouts was Micky Quigg, one of Nash’s linesmen.  The whistle called time on his time in Ireland.  For now.   The next morning, with cases packed, he caught a flight for the ‘Big Apple’ and a new career rose up to meet him.  Timing is everything and at the age of 24, Quigg stretches his wings and explores pastures new.   His refereeing career in Derry took him across the county.  A text from the CCC, with a time and a venue and away he went.  If it was a championship game, he would have used four from his pool of trusted umpires – his brother John Joe, Rory McGurk, Neil McAllister, Francis ‘Crenchers’ McEldowney, Dominic and Cathal Mullan.   This was the path he chose.  Little did know where it would take him.  From Swatragh, via University of Ulster Magee, to one of the busiest cities in the world.   OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS   From Times Square, through mid-town Manhattan, past Central Park, past Yankee Stadium, past Gaelic Park in the Bronx to Yonkers – his new base.  Bunkered in with exiles from Mayo and Sligo.   The former St Paul’s Kilrea and St Patrick’s Maghera student is New York GAA’s Hurling Development Officer.

“I saw the advert online one day and just applied, got through to the interview stage and was successful after that.”

“I was out visiting a few family and friends, as well as my girlfriend (Deirdre) up in Connecticut over the summer,” Quigg recalls of how his new opportunity presented itself.   “I saw the advert online one day and just applied, got through to the interview stage and was successful after that.”   Education took Quigg to Derry City and a Drama degree course in Magee.  On graduation, in 2014, he took up a post as Vice-President of the Student’s Union.   “After the third year the contract automatically comes to an end.  I wanted to take a bit of a break, but at the same time be on the look-out for something new, different with the opportunity to challenge myself – it was just the right time.”   As a direct employee of New York GAA, Quigg’s job description is wide-ranging – but like his career to date, it fits like a glove.  His role spills across the senior, minor and ladies board.   “My remit includes coach education, player development, development squads, Cúl camps and referee recruitment. I also work with the County PROs in terms of the social media and marketing side of things,” explains Quigg, who spent time on work experience with the County Derry Post.   “So, make sure and keep a look out for the monthly NY games development newsletter. I am looked after pretty well by the NY GAA Games Development Officer and my line manager Simon Gillespie, we put our Derry/Donegal rivalry to the side for the good of the cause.”

Swatragh and Yonkers are poles apart but like all corners of the globe, the GAA family will reach out to their own

Swatragh and Yonkers are poles apart but like all corners of the globe, the GAA family will reach out to their own.  It’s an unwritten code.  The O’Neill’s jersey does that.  It possesses an unrivalled and powerful ability to unite.   That said, Quigg looked before he leaped.  He wasn’t entirely blindfolded: “I’ve got some family out here around the Bronx, and they have been brilliant if I ever want to come for a chat or a bit of craic.   “I was with them for my first Thanksgiving out here and they are all GAA heads which goes along way too. My girlfriend lives about an hour away as well - she’s been very supportive, so I wasn’t completely by myself before I came out.”   With a visa tucked away, there is a quantification about his transatlantic adventure.  There will come a time when he will return home.   “As long as it takes for New York to lift the Liam McCarthy,” was Quigg’s response to how long he plans staying.   For now he is living the dream.  History is littered with students embarking on their travels.  The life experience gained from taking a step out of the comfort zone, to a new horizon, is a priceless string to the bow.  A fully stamped passport alongside a degree combine to hold real value.   “I am enjoying myself so far, with the individuals I get to meet along the way, promoting a sport I am passionate about and in one of best cities in the world. My visa is for 18 months, so we’ll see what happens and take it from there,” he continues.   Just a month into his latest venture, Quigg takes stock.  The Irish community is a vibrant one.   “I’m fortunate enough to be involved with a passionate and dedicated group of people, working to see Gaelic games in New York grow.  A few highlights include the ‘Randamach Blitz’ in the fall (autumn), where we mixed up all the underage players from all the different teams up to make sure we get competitive games.   “The NY Hurling Academy set up by my predecessor, Emmett Conlon from Fermanagh, is up and going in Gaelic Park. It gives over 40 kids a chance to tighten up on their skills and learn about the importance of looking after yourself off the pitch, from strength and conditioning, mental preparation and diet.   “I’m glad to have ‘Screen man Laurence Kennedy along with me there too. The monthly newsletter is really going down a treat over here, with up 600 views in its fourth month.”   Quigg also plans to take up the whistle, as he continues: “The adult season hasn’t begun yet and won’t get going until April time, but after that yeah, I will probably play a bit out here, but obviously putting the job first.   “It will be a good opportunity to meet a few more of the lads around the area, that’s always the beauty about the GAA, the friends and contacts you get to make everywhere. I’ll definitely still referee out here, sure it keeps me fit and out of bother.”   *** REFEREES are vital.  No whistle - no game.  Simple as that.  In his address to Derry’s AGM, Danny Scullion called on a zero tolerance attitude towards abuse of referees.    The alarming increase of verbal and physical attacks on officials see the association facing the elephant in the room.   Back home, after taking a ‘side step’ from his playing days, Quigg got involved in refereeing and coaching.  He got the bug.  It was something different.   “I was literally scrolling through Facebook one day when I saw the advert for Derry Referees and it said ‘So you think you can do better - Put your whistle where your mouth is’.  I just thought ‘yeah absolutely I can’.   “From then I started off refereeing a few Féile games, then up through the ranks, got selected to be on the Ulster Referee Academy and never looked back.  Sean Curran always looked after me from the start,” admits Quigg, who name checks Eamonn Hasson, Tarlach Conway Alan and Eddie Nash among his confidants.   With an ever-increasing level of responsibility resting at the door of the ‘man in the middle’, it is the most demanding gig imaginable.  Quigg agrees, but reveals the lighter side.   “It definitely is tough, but it can be enjoyable sometimes.  I can think of some great trips to Garvaghy on a freezing Sunday morning with a few dodgy umpires in the back of the car.   “Or having a chat with someone at Owenbeg about how I ‘didn’t do so bad’ at the last U14 league match or the running joke that a certain ball never crossed the sideline back three years ago – those memories make it enjoyable.”   The old adage is rolled out about referees, in some cases about their lack of playing experience.  Quigg has his beliefs, elements that struck a chord during his playing career.  Communication and preparation.   “When I played I knew what I liked in a ref.  If you fail to keep up with the play, fail to tell the players why you have made a decision against them or fail to show up to a game prepared as best you can – you fail and lose players respect. Gods knows, there are a lot of things you can’t control, so you may do a good job of the factors you can.”   As clubs the length and breadth of the country – and beyond – struggle to entice new referees, Quigg offers some advice.   “I would say to anyone reading this is, give refereeing a try whether it’s an U10 blitz or challenge game – you’ll realize how difficult it can be.  You have a second to make that decision based on how you see it and in that angle, players, managers and referees all can make a mistake. Like-wise if you feel the man in the middle has had a good game, let him know that – it goes a long way.”   So where does the respect come from?  Quigg gives his opinion.   “I believe it starts with the grassroots from your U6 coaches as well as the parents at the house, we all have a role to play. If a child sees you bad mouth a referee – that becomes the norm.   “I’ve done some games where players ask what the free is for and walk away and afterwards I’ll go over and credit the managers. But’s it because the management has drilled and conditioned into them that you get on with the game.”   Quigg has witnessed it from both sides of the line and on both sides of the Atlantic.  The message is the same.  Silent sidelines from underage, zero tolerance for abuse to match officials and ‘consequences’ for failure to adhere to them.   There is also the aspect of social media repercussions for what is said.  “At the end of the day this is an amateur association and people go out to do the best job they can in any capacity. Despite what some of my friends joke around with me about – we don’t pick a team at the start of the game to win.”   Finals in America are no different to back home.  The competitive spirit still overflows: “Funnily enough my first ever senior county final was out here in New York with Ulster v Tipperary.  I got as much talking back there as I would have back in Ireland at a Derry U14 final.   “I think it often depends on the club and the coaches wherever you go, if you have a coach not tolerating any abuse to the ref from his players – that mentality filters right through the club.   “Overall, I have been very impressed with the underage conduct - with respect towards officials over here. Once you communicate why you made the decision the players walk away, mark their player and get on with it. It probably comes down to playing other sports and the expectations that have been put in place there already.”   **** CLUBS are the hub.  A recent visit to Swatragh for an Irish class demonstrated all the GAA has to offer.    Quigg started his days playing football and hurling with the U10s – but like other clubs, Swatragh is more than that.   On a random Saturday morning, on top of a group learning Irish, there was a musical class and with the club’s new ‘Healthy Club’ culture - there was a registration slot for their latest fitness challenge.  All in the off-season.   New York GAA’s latest recruit is well placed to compare what he left behind to his current surroundings.  Exiles group together and Quigg can sense the taste of home - beaming from all corners.   “I think no matter where you go in the world everyone loves the Irish. Whether it’s the passion, the charm or the sense of humor everyone is always excited to hear if you are from Ireland and everyone more joyous to hear that you are from Derry.   “I’ve been into a few schools delivering a few introductory sessions to hurling, and most students whether they are 8 or 18 are in awe of the skill and roughness of the game. I’m definitely looking forward to St Patrick’s Day…let’s put it like that.”   New York’s base is Gaelic Park, in Bronx – on west 240^th Street - nestled between Manhattan College and Van Cortlant Park.  Once a mud bath or dustbowl, depending on the seasons, it now has an artificial surface.   Every year when the Connacht championship comes to town, the bar and compound behind the lower goals is busting at the seams.  It is New York’s flagship day in the season, with hope of an upset no the cards.   Most club games are played there, but there is GAA all over New York, as Quigg explains: “There are a ton of clubs situated all around New York all working extremely hard promoting their adult and underage programs. You have Shannon Gaels in Queens, Long Island Gaels – some in Upper State New York like St Brendan’s and Rockland.   “Rockland is one of the biggest clubs outside of Ireland, with their own Games Development Officer. Not to forget clubs in Connecticut, St Pat’s and New Haven - that make the effort week in week out to come down and play in the state leagues and championships.   “Every volunteer is as passionate as you would get back home, maybe it’s because you have to try a little more with so many others sports in their children’s lives to compete against, or maybe it’s that sense of community and volunteerism that comes from the GAA.”   With clubs struggling with numbers back home and the post Celtic Tiger emigration to America, to Australia – or anywhere that offers work.  According to Quigg, there is still no surplus of players in New York.   “The issues are similar to those back home, some clubs have more players, teams and volunteers than others. And some people after years of club and county commitments are just happy to take a break from it all when they are out here.” New York aren’t going to win the Liam McCarthy Cup any time soon, never mind during the next 18 months.  It doesn’t really matter.  Micky Quigg is tasked with raising the stock of hurling in one of the world’s most iconic cities. Love your job and you’ll never work a day for the rest of your life.  He will leave his adopted home in Yonkers every morning with a spring his step. His sporting career began with hurling.  A game he played, officiated and coached.  Now it’s time to preach the gospel Darren Shields and Patsy O’Kane began. Quigg’s hurling career has turned full circle.