Joe McQuillan

rdf:langString Joe McQuillan

rdf:langString Joe McQuillan is a Gaelic football referee. He is a member of the Kill Shamrocks club in County Cavan. McQuillan has refereed four All-Ireland 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. He was the third Cavanman to referee an All-Ireland final, following Fintan Tierney of Butlersbridge (1972) and Brian Crowe of Cavan Gaels (2006). Tierney, though, was originally from Longford. 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. McQuillan later refereed the highly anticipated opening Ulster Championship clash between All-Ireland holders Donegal and Tyrone, winners in 2003, 2005 and 2008. Among the other important football matches he has refereed are the 2011 Ulster final, two Leinster finals, a Munster final and club and U21 All-Ireland finals. In 2022, Martin Breheny named him among "five of the best football referees".