Neville Set For Landmark Achievement

Joy Neville will make a little bit of history this afternoon as she becomes the first female referee to take charge of a SEAT Munster Schools Senior Cup game.

Neville takes charge of the qualifier between Glenstal Abbey and St. Clement’s on the 4G pitch in UL with the game kicking off at 2pm.

The former Munster captain and Ireland no. 8 has enjoyed a meteoric rise up the refereeing ranks having taken charge of her first ever game just over a year ago – an U-15 schools friendly between St Munchin’s College and CBC.

And Neville was thrilled when she was informed of her landmark achievement: “I’m over the moon, I didn’t even realise that I was the first woman to get a schools game,” said the Grand Slam winner. “I’m obviously honoured to be in a position that they think I’m well capable of refereeing at that level so I’m really looking forward to it now, it’s always a good challenge,” she added.

The Limerick woman’s fledgling career with the whistle has already brought her to such far flung destinations as Dubai and Moscow.

And although today’s game will not require much travel, it’s another step up the ladder for one of the province’s most promising referees.

Helen O’Reilly recently became the first woman to be appointed to the National Referee Panel by the IRFU and, while Neville would be delighted to follow the same path, her main aim is to maintain her enjoyment in the role.

“Helen is doing really well,” said Neville of her counterpart. “I went down to the World Cup in August and I met with Helen and we had a chat. I saw her potential and, particularly in the last three years, she deserves everything she’s got.

“Obviously it would be lovely to follow in her footsteps but what will happen will happen. Once I’m enjoying it that’s the main thing as far as I’m concerned,” she added.

TODAY:
SEAT Munster Schools Senior Cup Qualifier: St. Clement's v Glenstal Abbey, 4G UL, ko 2pm