JOE MCQUILLAN HAS been confirmed as the Irish referee for the International Rules clash against Australian on Saturday, 21 November, at Croke Park.
The Cavan whistler will share refereeing duties on the field of play with Australia’s Mat Nicholls.
South African, Ian Curlewis, is the Video Match Referee with Eddie Kinsella (Laois) announced as stand-by referee.
McQuillan, who was on stand-by for last year’s Test match in Australia, is vastly experienced having taken charge of two All-Ireland Senior finals (2011 and 2013) in a 13 year Inter-County career.
This year he refereed Dublin v Mayo in the drawn All-Ireland semi-final – and sent off Dublin star Diarmuid Connolly.
Mat Nicholls was also the stand-by referee for the 2014 Test match.
He has been umpiring in the AFL since 2003 and in the intervening 12 years has taken charge of more than 200 AFL games including the 2013 and 2014 Grand Finals when Hawthorn had comfortable victories over Fremantle and Sydney Swans respectively.
Ian Curlewis has been involved in the International Rules series for the past number of years as Video Match Referee.
He boasts vast experience in this role, also officiating in Rugby Union.
In his role as Video Match Referee he may be called upon to assist the referees in determining Black and Red Card Infractions, together with adjudication on any score, and consideration on whether fouls were committed inside or outside the rectangles.
Stand-by Referee, Eddie Kinsella, is also vastly experienced and reached the pinnacle in Gaelic football refereeing last year when he took charge of the All-Ireland final between Kerry and Donegal.
In 2015 he was the “man in the middle” for the Dublin v Mayo All-Ireland semi-final replay.
I always thought he was one of the outstanding players at Connacht…was surprised to hear that his contract wasn’t being renewed. Good he’s found his form with Munster!
@Con Cussed: very popular with Connacht fans, but we understood with age (32 this month), and recent injury profile it means he was a cost Connacht couldn’t take a risk on. Anyway, with Aki, Forde, Hawkshaw, O’Connor as options, and young Hugh Gavin to come through (sooner rather than later by the way he’s performing every time he steps up a level). Plus, we’ve a bunch of back three lads who’ve played centre as well and can do a job (Jennings, Ralston, and Bolton)…
@Con Cussed: he is an excellent player, but his injury profile probably didn’t help his cause. Getting rid of Daly and Farrell probably freed the funds for POC, who is younger and has a better injury profile. Between Aki, Forde, Hugh Gavin and POC, center is strong for us, not to mention others who can deputise there too like Hawkshaw and Bolton. Farrell is a great signing for Munster – there was a lot of furore from their supporters when Frisch left and Farrell was mooted as a replacement, but in reality I think Farrell is an upgrade on Frisch, who I thought had a poor 2023/24 season (he was excellent in 2022/23). I’ll miss seeing Aki/Farrell in midfield, but glad Farrell got a second opportunity.
@Ronan Byrne: I should have refreshed the page before I commented! You hit the nail straight on the head.
@Con Cussed: of interest too is how in the 2016/17 season, both Connacht and Munster had injuries that needed short term cover – for Munster, NIE Saili was injured and so they signed NIE Taute, while Connacht had its own injury crisis, and being barred from signing NIQ players (as indicated by the Lam situation), signed Farrell on short term from the championship team Bedford Blues. In the end, both Taute and Farrell were exceptional signings and were given long term contracts, but now Munster are in a position to benefit from Connacht developing an IQ player, while the short term fix of Taute had no real long term benefit for Irish Rugby.
Great signing for Munster. Loads to offer on and off pitch.
People on here were quick to jump to the conclusion that Munster were poaching players from Connacht when he signed.
From what I have seen of him so far he looks quite good. I can see him and Nankivell striking up a good partnership. Munster badly needs a settled midfield after constant changing of personnel.
Could turn out to be another Paul Warwick
Fantastic signing. Seems to be getting a run without injury too which does help
He’s an absolutely quality rugby player. Serious skillset. Ireland chance has probably passed now but he’ll get plenty of big days with Munster. Has had some very unfortunately timed injuries in his career.