Ireland

Ireland appoints first female referee

ESPN Staff

Helen O'Reilly has been appointed as the first top-level female referee by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).

In a move that could see her officiate in the Pro12 and European Champions Cup, the IRFU has made O'Reilly the first female appointment to its National Referee Panel.

O'Reilly is considered one of the finest female referees in the world and was one of just two female northern hemisphere referees at the Women's Rugby World Cup in France earlier this year. The former Ashbourne RFC and St Mary's RFC player has been refereeing for less than four years and will officiate Ulster Bank League matches at first.

"Helen's appoinment is based solely on merit but as the first female referee to make the panel she must be congratulated," said IRFU referee development director Owen Doyle. "Her hard work, dedication and strong refereeing performances have propelled her into the top handful of female referees in the world and into the national panel here in Ireland."

Nottingham solicitor Claire Hodnett became England's first female referee to join the Rugby Football Union national panel earlier in 2014.

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