Ray O'Connor is off again for his second Olympic Games. One of the world's top hockey umpires, the 43-year-old has already officiated in the Atlanta Olympic final to claim the most prestigious prize in the international game.
A former player with Glenanne, but now a Monkstown veteran, O'Connor must retire from umpiring in four years' time. As in soccer, hockey referees must be 47 or under.
Having umpired in hockey's biggest event s, only the World Cup final has eluded him. The next World Cup final takes place in Kuala Lumpur in two years' time and although he will be eligible for the Athens Games in 2004, retirement may come after Kuala Lumpur.
The Atlanta final was a thrill as was the European Cup final in Dublin but one of the Irishman's most memorable occasions was an eight-day tour of India where he umpired in a series of five matches between Pakistan and the host country.
In Sydney a special presentation of a gold whistle will be made to O'Connor to mark the fact that the Dubliner has officiated in over 100 international matches.
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