SOMEONE out there on the touch line loves you. The point was driven home during the festive season that umpires so much maligned and taken for granted are normal, sensitive mortals. They have wives and offspring and, indeed, supporters. After one of the cup finals in Dublin, a svelte blonde approached one of the yellow jerseyed officials, kissed him proudly and said "well done, Dad."

Cynics might suggest that he was recovering from a monstrous hang over and badly needed sympathy or that his daughter's boyfriend was on the winning side. But no this was genuine admiration for one of the most important figures in the game, praise commonly reserved for the other participants. He was chuffed.

So this column's New Year message is Give our umpires more support and understanding. While they may make misjudgments, so do the players with their fresh air swipes, misplaced passes or shots wide of the target.

Tomorrow, the third round of the Irish Senior Cup will create an extra pressure or two. The tie in which Banbridge welcome Lisnagarvey to the shale pitch at Castlewellan Road may be the most demanding but it will be under the most accomplished direction of Ray O'Connor (on the fringe of the Olympics) and John de Burgh Whyte.

Lisnagarvey, with all their celebrated figures available, will be fancied to make a renewed impact in the competition. Furthermore they will have youth international Mark Tumilty facing his old town mates, including his brother Lee (home from Nottingham University). Banbridge's hopes of survival probably will hinge on David McAnulty's recovery from flu to link up with Norman McGladdery.

Of the other five pairings in Ulster, the holders Instonians have been advised to treat Kileel with reasonable respect on the Mournemen's grit surface while the visit of Pembroke Wanderers to Cookstown will have its moments but for whom?

"We need to have everyone firing on the same day," admits Pembroke manager Chris Furlong, who has Paudie Carley back in the squad after a one match suspension. Andy Cooke is bound to hold a key role in facing the Ireland captain, Marty Sloan, who has strong cohorts in Paul Barrett and Peter Cunningham.

In the double bill at Olympia, there may well be extra time in the Annadale Newry game, delaying Holywood's prospects of overpowering Glenanne, who, for all their fighting qualities, are not yet mature enough for this assignment.

Steady developing Cork C of I, though, must have the ability to win at Antrim, where Alastair Dunne and the Hanna brothers should thrive. Equally, Liam Canning is highly unlikely to be contained as Three Rock Rovers take on Parkview at Grange Road. In the only all Dublin pairing, Avoca are odds on to beat YMCA who, however, in rounding up all and sundry, will resist with the utmost defiance.