Joe McQuillan

Joe McQuillan (born 1975) ^[1] is a Gaelic football referee. He is a member of the Kill Shamrocks club in County Cavan.

McQuillan refereed four All-Ireland SFC finals: the 2011 decider between Dublin and Kerry, the 2013 decider between Dublin and Mayo, the 2017 decider between Dublin and Mayo and the 2021 decider between Mayo and Tyrone. ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

He was the third Cavanman to referee an All-Ireland final, following Fintan Tierney of Butlersbridge (1972) and Brian Crowe of Cavan Gaels (2006). ^[6] Tierney, though, was originally from Longford. ^[7]

McQuillan was in charge during the game that produced the infamous "spitgate" incident in the 2013 National Football League – when Donegal's reigning national footballer of the year Karl Lacey, who was injured that day, was hit by some spit from the mouth of a Tyrone fan. ^[8] McQuillan later refereed the highly anticipated opening Ulster Championship clash between All-Ireland holders Donegal and Tyrone, winners in 2003, 2005 and 2008. ^{[8] [9]}

Among the other important football matches he refereed were the 2011 Ulster final, two Leinster finals, a Munster final and club and U21 All-Ireland finals. ^[10]

In 2022, Martin Breheny named him among "five of the best football referees". ^[11]

McQuillan took charge of the 2025 All-Ireland SFC semi-final between Kerry and Tyrone, the last inter-county fixture he was eligible for. ^{[1] [12]}

References

1. "McQuillan set to blow final whistle on inter-county refereeing career". Hogan Stand. 7 July 2025.
2. "McQuillan to referee football final". RTÉ. 30 August 2011. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
3. "Joe McQuillan to referee All-Ireland final between Dublin and Mayo". RTÉ. 10 September 2013. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
4. "Joe McQuillan to referee All-Ireland SFC final". Hogan Stand. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
5. Breheny, Martin (8 September 2021). "Pressure is on referee Joe McQuillan to steer Mayo–Tyrone All-Ireland final through various battles of will". Irish Independent. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
6. Fitzpatrick, Paul (31 August 2011). "No show like a Joe show as McQuillan gets All Ireland". The Anglo-Celt. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015.
7. "Death of former All-Ireland referee Fintan Tierney". Hogan Stand. 11 January 2008.
8. McNulty, Chris (16 May 2013). "McQuillan to take charge in Ballybofey". Donegal News. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
9. Fogarty, John (11 May 2013). "McQuillan to handle Donegal–Tyrone tie". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
10. McNulty, Chris (7 July 2012). "McQuillan to ref' Ulster final". Donegal News. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
11. Breheny, Martin (19 August 2022). "Five of the best football referees". Irish Independent.
12. Keys, Colm (3 July 2025). "Joe McQuillan likely to end his inter-county refereeing career with All-Ireland semi-final of Kerry against Tyrone". Irish Independent.