Flag-bearer Joy Neville ‘never had an issue as a female’

Joy Neville has made a habit out of being a trailblazer.

Three years ago the former UL Bohs star retired from international rugby having made over 70 appearance in an 11-year period.

The highlight came at the latter end of that career - being part of the Six Nations Grand Slam winning side in 2013 - the first Irish team to achieve the feat.

But the boots didn’t remain forgotten for long. Referee chiefs Peter Fitzgibbon and Dave McHugh spotted something in Neville and approached her about the possibility of returning to rugby as a match official.

She mulled over the offer for about “six or eight months” and decided that she would accept the offer. It’s a decision which has changed her life Her first game was an U15 schools friendly between St Munchin’s College and CBC in December of 2013.

Since then she has blazed path through the ranks, becoming the first female to referee at various levels and competitions at home and abroad.

Last week was another milestone - only this one had all the glitz and glamour of the Sky Sports cameras to witness the occasion.

Neville was assistant referee for the European Challenge Cup clash of Bath and Bristol, the only woman to ever officiate in a European game.

And like everything that has gone before the Limerick native took it in her stride.

“You get a month’s advance schedule from the IRFU so I knew from a long time out that I was on duty. It wasn’t like it was just sprung on me.

“A week beforehand I refereed the British and Irish Cup game between Bedford Blues and Newport Gwent Dragons.

“I was hugely focused for that, there was over 2,000 at the game and it was some atmosphere. It went well, thank God.

“I was the first woman to referee in the B and I Cup so it was new to the players - and to me.

“But I got the utmost of respect from everyone involved.” That game went a little under the radar without all the fanfare that live television brings.

And Neville was aware of being under the spotlight a little bit more when she put in the groundwork for her officiating debut at the Recreation Ground,.

“Your preparations are different (than being the referee). You are trying to predict issues that may arise in the course of a game. You are just as focused as if you are actually out there on the pitch as you are effectively an extra pair of eyes for the referee.

“You visualise scenarios and your prepare the wording that you will use because the game is being aired live on television and your comments may be broadcast.

“I had a good few calls to make in the match - close calls. There was one knock on in particular that I called which the player and the crowd disagreed with.

“But Sky went back and replayed the incident and I was proven to be correct.” Five years ago England’s most high-profile female lineswoman in the Premier League, Sian Massey, found herself the target of sexist comments from Andy Gray and Richard Keys. But Neville insists she has never encountered such behaviour in her time running the line or taking charge of matches.

“Gender doesn’t come into it. I have never had an issue as a female. People just see you as doing a job. They aren’t worried if it is man or a woman - they just want the right calls and decisions to be made.” Neville insists her progression through the refereeing ranks is due in no small part to a huge support structure behind her. “I’m a rugby development officer in Limerick IT and I am hugely grateful to them for the amount of time off and assistance that they give me. They are hugely supportive. And so too are the Munster Refereeing Association and IRFU - their help is second to none.”

Two years ago this week, Neville told the Limerick Leader about her goals, targets and ambitions as a female referee.

“For me, the goal would be to referee an AIL game, to be honest. I am true believer that you need to be realistic on your goals. I would love to see a woman referee, myself or someone else, refereeing in Division 1 of the AIL. Once that happens, a lot more could be possible with regard to women refereeing.” She laughs now when the quote is recalled given all that she has achieved over the past 24 months.

“I didn’t realise the potential of a female officiating at European level back then!

“I didn’t even consider it being a realistic goal.

“I look at things as one step at a time, and enjoying every opportunity as it comes up.” “Ironically I will be doing Cork Con v Clontarf in three weeks’ time (becoming the first female official to take charge of an All-Ireland League Division 1A game). I am nearly as ecstatic about doing that as I was when told about the European game. I set a goal of breaking into Division 1A and now I am about to achieve that.” But surely there must be more targets on the horizon.

What about taking charge of a European game? Neville sounds a word of caution.

“I don’t think a European game is realistic any time soon (for a woman).

“I think the first step would be a female referee in the PRO12. That would be special.” And what odds on Joy Neville being that history maker...