Paddy Neilan is a Gaelic football referee.

Early life

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He hails from the St Faithleach's club in County Roscommon.

Career

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He refereed the 2017 Munster Senior Football Championship final.[1] Dublin manager Jim Gavin criticised him after Kerry won.[2]

By 2019 he had refereed in every .county except Waterford, Wexford, and Westmeath. He was referee for the Donegala nd Kerry Super 8s game in the 2019 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. He is the top referee in Connacht (including Roscommon).[citation needed]

He refereed the 2022 Munster Senior Football Championship semi-final, which Limerick qualified for the final for after twelve years of absence.[3]

Neilan refereed the 2022 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final between Dublin and Kerry.[4] He did the game without Hawk-Eye because it broke down the day before.[5][6]

After praise for how he handled the semi-final, Neilan was named as standby referee and linesman for the 2022 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final.[7]

Personal life

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He is an electrician in Sligo. He married Carol and, as of 2019, was a father of two, living in the Ballyleague area of Roscommon.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Paddy Neilan to referee Kerry's All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin". independent.
  2. ^ Fogarty, John. Paddy Neilan to referee Kerry-Dublin All-Ireland SFC semi-final 4 July 2022
  3. ^ Neville, Jack (19 May 2022). "Pa Ranahan | Diary of a Limerick football fan".
  4. ^ "Top gig for Roscommon referee". Roscommon Herald. 4 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Watch: Hawkeye controversy at Croker as Galway have point ruled out before being awarded it again - HoganStand".
  6. ^ "'An absolute joke' – Future of Hawkeye in doubt as GAA to review technology following semi-final blunder".
  7. ^ "Roscommon referee part of team for All-Ireland football final". 13 July 2022.
  8. ^ Paddy Neilan Interview – December 2019. 1 January 2020