More Than A Whistle follows three referees, Joy Neville, Michelle O’Neill and Maggie Farrelly, on the next phase of their careers as they strive to be the best in the business. We get access to each person’s preparation, match and post-game thoughts and experiences.
We see how they handle their busy schedules and limited downtime, while also getting a first-hand testimonial of what it was that drove them toward becoming pioneers of the game.
We will see how each referee has had a different journey and will have a different trajectory in the future, but the one common thread is that they will keep striving to be the best, to change their respective sports for the better and to be viewed simply as a referee, rather than a female referee.
Bios:
Joy Neville couldn’t avoid rugby having her father and four older brothers involved in the sport. She first picked up a ball at 8 and broke her nose in a scrimmage with her brothers. As predicated by her brother Dave, Joy went on to play with the Irish Women’s International team and was part of the team that won a Grand Slam in 2013. In 2016 Joy became the first woman to officiate a men’s professional match at the European Challenge Cup, first woman to referee PRO14, and the first woman to TMO the Men’s 6 Nations and Rugby World Cup 2023. In 2017 Joy was one of seven referees to get a professional referee contract with the IRFU. Joy is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, diversity and inclusion in sport and breaking the mould in a male dominated environment. Joy lives in Limerick with her wife Simona Coppola and their son Alfie.
After playing for Adamstown, Co. Wexford and Wexford Youths Michelle O’Neill turned to refereeing in 2008 and has quickly become the most decorated Irish match official in the history of Irish soccer being a League of Ireland Referee and a FIFA International Assistant Referee. Michelle has also made sporting history by being the first ever Irish person to officiate at a FIFA Women’s World Cup final in 2019, followed closely by being part of the first ever female refereeing trio to officiate at a major Men’s Final – UEFA Super Cup Final 2019 (Liverpool v Chelsea). Michelle enjoys kayaking and swimming at the many Wexford beaches she is surrounded by. She is also a very talented artist who has exhibited in Ireland and abroad.
Maggie Farrelly has always been involved in the Cavan ladies football scene, being one of the top players for her home club of Laragh United. In 2011 she was nominated by the county board to go into the Ulster GAA Referees Academy for men’s football. Maggie made GAA history in January 2016 by becoming the first female official to referee a Senior Men’s Inter-County game. Other firsts include the men’s county football final for her native Cavan, and the men’s Allianz League match between Leitrim and London. Maggie is an ambassador for inclusion and works with the Donegal Sports Partnership as an education and training co-ordinator.