JOHN Leahy remembers the first game Patrick ‘Trucker’ Hurley ever refereed.

‘Don’t ask me the exact year – around 20 years ago – but it was in Inchigeelagh, an U14 soccer game. Leeside were playing, maybe against Dunmanway Town,’ Leahy recalls. Even then, he remembers thinking Hurley had found his calling. And he had.

The Clonakilty man went on to become a familiar and hugely respected face in West Cork sport, refereeing across the West Cork League and the West Cork Schoolboys and Schoolgirls League, as well as locally in both men’s and ladies’ football.

‘He’d be out reffing games every night of the week in the summer,’ Leahy continues, remembering his late friend, who passed away earlier this month.

‘I was great friends with his brother Milo (Michael passed away in October 2020) and we’d often be umpires for Trucker in GAA games. You’d see first-hand just how good he was as a referee.’

So what set him apart?

‘He was never biased, and he took no nonsense,’ Leahy says, straight to the point.

‘He refereed games fairly, he knew the rules, and if he was wrong, he’d admit it.’

Hailed as one of West Cork’s finest referees, the esteem in which ‘Trucker’ was held was reflected in the tributes that followed his passing at Marymount University Hospital & Hospice on January 6th.

‘Patrick was a familiar and trusted presence across the West Cork League for many years. His calm authority, fairness, and deep understanding of football made him a referee that players, managers, and supporters all respected,’ the West Cork League said.

His home club, Clonakilty Soccer Club, described ‘Trucker’ as ‘the bedrock of the club’, and it’s easy to see why.

‘He helped out with everything, from being club treasurer for years to making sure the pitch was always in top condition,’ Leahy explains.

‘Trucker’s first Beamish Cup final was in Darrara in 2012, Rosscarbery won on penalties. He refereed the final the following year as well, and put me under a bit of pressure to have the pitch right!

‘We know he had a temper,’ Leahy laughs, ‘and what I’ll miss most is him giving out to me!

‘He was a man who would do anything for you, had a heart of gold, and there was huge respect for him.’

Within the West Cork League, ‘Trucker’ was entrusted with the biggest occasions – Beamish Cup finals, Premier Division deciders, and even the prestigious Republic of Ireland XI v West Cork Masters League clash in Dunmanway in 2014. He was a man for the big stage. He was also a man known for his wit.

‘My outstanding memory of Trucker was a game in Drinagh when he said, in his usual witty way while refereeing, “Lord God lads, ye aren't Barcelona, just drive on!”’ Mike Doolan of Drinagh Rangers recalled.

‘Comments like that made you stop and think – and respect a referee who loved the game as much as any player.’

Well known and deeply respected, ‘Trucker’ Hurley left a lasting mark on the West Cork sporting community, as a referee, a volunteer, a friend, and a supporter.

‘His contribution extended far beyond the big occasions. Patrick was a loyal servant to the league, supporting the WCL committee, clubs, volunteers, and the wider football community with generosity, reliability, and genuine goodwill,’ the West Cork League added.

His whistle has sounded for the last time – but his impact will endure.