Michelle O'Neill, a Wexford referee, has been chosen as an assistant referee for the Women's Champions League final next month.
The match will be broadcast live on the RTÉ News channel on Saturday 3 June.
This isn't the first time the referee has made history. In 2022, Michelle became the first Irish referee to officiate at the Olympic Games, being selected as one of the 99 match officials from 51 countries for the men's and women's football tournaments.
Congratulations to Michelle O'Neill who has been appointed to the @UWCL Final refereeing team.
The League of Ireland Official will be an Assistant Referee for the Final between FC Barcelona and VfL Wolfsburg in Eindhoven. #LOI pic.twitter.com/lzL5avQLxR— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) May 22, 2023
In 2019, Michelle achieved another remarkable milestone, becoming the first-ever Irish individual to officiate at a World Cup Final during the clash between the USA and the Netherlands. Shortly after, she was also chosen as part of the first-ever female refereeing team for a Men's Supercup Final between Liverpool and Chelsea in Istanbul.
Michelle's journey in refereeing began in the 2007/2008 season after playing soccer for many years in the local Wexford League and representing her county team. Through her dedication and progress at the FAI's School of Excellence, she became a FIFA Assistant Referee in 2011, a prestigious honor that recognizes her as an official representing her country at the international level.
Since 2010, Michelle has been a regular presence in the SSE Men's Airtricity League and the Women's National League since 2011. Her expertise was also showcased in the officiating team for the FAI Men's Cup Final in 2013 and 2021 at the Aviva Stadium, as well as her role as the referee for the Women's FAI Cup Final in 2014.
