Former League of Ireland referee Paddy Daly passes away aged 84

Former Referee and Garda, Paddy Daly, has died, peacefully, at the age of 84. Picture: David Maher/Sportsfile

Famous former League of Ireland referee Paddy Daly has died, peacefully, at the age of 84.

Paddy is survived by his wife Muriel, daughters Louise and Lynn as well as grand-daughter Emma.

Mr Daly was a former Fifa official who refereed two FAI Cup finals, 1979 and 1989, as well as four League Cup deciders.

He also officiated on the European stage and was assistant to John Carpenter for the 1982 UEFA Cup final between Sven Goran Eriksson’s Gothenburg and Hamburg, which the Swedes won 1-0.

The same Irish duo were in charge when Barcelona beat Beveren 1-0 in the first leg of the 1979 Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final in front of over 70,000 at the Nou Camp.

Paddy Daly (right) was an Assistant Referee for 1979 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Semi-Final First Leg between Barcelona and Beveren at the Nou Camp.

Mr Daly, a Garda Síochána detective, remained immersed in the game following his retirement, both as an assessor and also acting for the FAI’s international referee liaison officer.

He was intrinsically involved in the 1995 Lansdowne Road riot match between Ireland and England, urging Dutch referee Dick Jol to remove the teams from the pitch once missiles rained down from the visiting section after 12 minutes.

The players never returned and the friendly fixture was abandoned.

May he rest in peace.