McQuillan chosen to ref Dublin-Kildare

Joe McQuillan is an intriguing choice as referee for the Leinster SFC semi-final between Dublin and Kildare in Croke Park on Sunday week.

The Cavan referee, who took charge of Dublin’s 2011 All-Ireland final win over Kerry, hails from the same county as Kildare forward Seanie Johnston. However, the high number of Dublin championship games McQuillan has taken charge of in recent years has also been raised.

Last year, Mayo manager James Horan addressed a point seemingly raised in Kerry that McQuillan officiated in in-house Dublin games, although referees’ chief Pat McEnaney later stated he hadn’t been involved in any of the county’s A v B games for the previous two seasons.

Sligo man Marty Duffy has been appointed referee for the Kerry-Cork Munster SFC final in Fitzgerald Stadium on July 7.

Laois native Maurice Deegan will officiate the other Leinster semi-final in Croke Park on June 30 between Meath and Wexford.