McEnaney surprised at All-Ireland final call-up

ALL-IRELAND football final referee Pat McEnaney admitted last night: “I didn’t think I’d get the call this year.”

Croke Park officials yesterday confirmed the appointment of the Monaghan official for the September 26 decider between Kerry and Mayo.

But reacting to his appointment, McEnaney admitted yesterday he was a little surprised, but thrilled at getting what will be his fourth All-Ireland senior championship final.

"I thought Mick Monahan of Kildare would get the job, but it's a tremendous honour to get the big one and I'm extremely pleased to have been chosen," said McEnaney.

"Given the two teams that are in the final, there will be a lot of respect on all sides. I find in my refereeing if you can command the respect of the players early on in a game, it tends to flow a lot easier.

"There has to be a certain discipline in inter-county footballers, and if you treat them with respect, you'll get it back. If you are reasonable with them, they will be reasonable with you.

"We need a good football championship match. The fare so far has been mediocre but with two footballing counties involved, I'm expecting a cracking match. Hopefully everything goes well for me and the players."

It's been a very busy season for McEnaney, having already taken charge of two major finals, the National Football League final between Kerry and Galway, and the drawn Leinster final between Westmeath and Laois.

Kerry will be well acquainted with McEnaney as this will be the third time this year he will referee a big game involving the Kingdom.

He recently officiated at the All-Ireland quarter-final against Dublin.

A member of the Corduff club, he is one of the most experienced referees in the country.

McEnaney had charge of two drawn All-Ireland senior finals the infamous 1996 clash of Meath and Mayo, and Kerry and Galway in 2000. He also refereed the 1996 final replay.

Wexford's Tom Quigley will take charge of the minor final involving Tyrone and Kerry, and this will be his first All-Ireland decider in any grade.

The Davidstown/Courtnacuddy clubman, from just outside Enniscorthy, became an inter-county referee in 1998, and has handled numerous senior championship games including this year's meeting of Carlow and Longford in Leinster, and this year's Munster SFC semi-final between Limerick and Waterford.

He has also refereed O'Byrne Cup and Under 21 championship games in Leinster and refereed four games in the National Football League this year.