IrelandMatches analysed: 262023โ€“2026

Mark Houlihan: referee stats

Mark Houlihan (Ireland) has shown 4.12 cards per game in 26 analysed matches โ€” โˆ’11% compared with the average of the same leagues. Profile: lenient.

Lenient ยท โˆ’11%
Cards per game4.12league avg 4.82
Over 4.5 cards42%Over 3.5 cards: 54%
Matches with a penalty31%
Matches with a red card8%
Fouls per game24.9
Cards 1st / 2nd half1.2 / 2.9

Upcoming matches with Mark Houlihan

No appointment published yet. Referee appointments usually appear 1โ€“3 days before kick-off.

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Referee radar

Strictness 14Fouls called 75Penalties 91Red cards 11Late cards 75Away cards 98

Percentile among 2957 referees with at least 15 matches; 50 = typical referee. Each axis compares the referee with the average of the leagues where this referee officiates.

Cards per match (last 20 matches)

20
31
12
43
24
25
26
27
28+

Mark Houlihan by competition

CompetitionMatchesCards/gLeague avgvs leaguePenaltyRed card
First Division Ireland174.184.65โˆ’7%35%12%
Premier Division Ireland94.005.14โˆ’12%22%0%

Last matches refereed by Mark Houlihan

DateMatchScoreCards (homeโ€“away)FoulsPen.
21.08.2026Dundalk โ€“ Galway UnitedPremier Division1:2 5 250
19.09.2025Treaty United โ€“ Athlone TownFirst Division3:2 1 โ€”2
22.08.2025Wexford โ€“ Bray WanderersFirst Division0:1 6 โ€”0
01.08.2025UCD โ€“ DundalkFirst Division0:1 8 โ€”1
18.07.2025Shamrock Rovers โ€“ WexfordFAI Cup4:0 0 โ€”0
23.06.2025St Patrick's Athl. โ€“ Derry CityPremier Division0:1 9 260
23.05.2025Galway United โ€“ Cork CityPremier Division2:1 6 311
10.05.2025Sligo Rovers โ€“ BohemiansPremier Division0:1 2 320
02.05.2025Cork City โ€“ Shamrock RoversPremier Division1:1 4 250
26.04.2025Longford Town โ€“ DundalkFirst Division0:3 3 โ€”0
18.04.2025Athlone Town โ€“ WexfordFirst Division1:1 5 โ€”0
28.03.2025Bray Wanderers โ€“ Cobh RamblersFirst Division2:1 7 โ€”1
03.03.2025Bohemians โ€“ Drogheda UnitedPremier Division0:1 3 โ€”0
24.10.2024Bray Wanderers โ€“ UCDFirst Division2:0 3 โ€”0
11.10.2024Treaty United โ€“ UCDFirst Division2:2 1 โ€”1

How the numbers are calculated

Cards = yellow and red cards shown to players during 90 minutes (a second yellow counts as a yellow plus a red, as most bookmakers settle). Cards for coaches and substitutes on the bench and cards in extra time are excluded. Penalties = penalties awarded during the match (shoot-outs excluded). โ€œvs leagueโ€ compares the referee with the average of the exact league seasons this referee worked, so a referee from a card-heavy league is not called strict just because of the league.

Data: official match events and statistics (API-Sports), updated daily.

FAQ

How many cards does Mark Houlihan give per game?

On average 4.12 cards per game in 26 analysed matches (league average in the same competitions: 4.82).

Is Mark Houlihan a strict referee?

Compared with the leagues where Mark Houlihan officiates, the card count is โˆ’11% โ€“ profile: lenient. A red card appeared in 8% of these matches.

How often do matches with Mark Houlihan go over 4.5 cards?

Over 4.5 cards in 42% of matches and over 3.5 cards in 54%. Both teams were booked in 85%.

Does Mark Houlihan give many penalties?

A penalty was awarded in 31% of matches refereed by Mark Houlihan.