The GAA has confirmed that Laois native Maurice Deegan will referee the All Ireland SFC Final replay between Dublin and Mayo on October 1.
Stradbally clubman Deegan previously took charge of the All Ireland senior deciders in 2008 and 2012.
In the 2016 Championship Deegan has officiated at the quarter-final between Kerry and Clare, the Ulster semi-final replay between Donegal and Monaghan and the Ulster quarter-final involving Donegal and Fermanagh.
“I’m delighted, the wait yesterday was hard, I just found out this morning, and I’m really honoured that I will get the chance to referee another All Ireland Final,” Deegan told gaa.ie today.
He is expecting a lively replay between the 2015 champions and a Mayo side desperate to land a first title in 65 years.
“The fact that it is a replay probably heightens it a bit too. The rivalry with Dublin and Mayo at the moment, I’m just looking forward to it.”
As expected, Maurice Deegan to referee All-Ireland SFC final replay on Saturday week. #GAA #sportlive
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) September 20, 2016
Deegan said he feels about refereeing the way the players do about playing.
“For me it is the same as lads playing I love refereeing, love the social aspect. There are many sides to refereeing surrounding the matches and I enjoy it. If I didn’t I wouldn’t be doing it.”
He added: “I’d be very competitive – after 2008 and 2012 I still wanted to do an All Ireland. That is what kept me going and to do three is a huge honour. There is satisfaction in it and to be given another chance is great.”
Kevin O’Brien, John Flynn, Tomás Moore, and Richard Oxley have been chosen as Deegan’s umpires.
