First Woman on Irish Panel
The Irish Rugby Football Union has made Helen O'Reilly the first female appointment to its national referees' panel in a move that could eventually see her officiate in Pro12 and European Champions Cup matches.
A 39-year-old Dubliner, Helen O'Reilly officiated at this year's Women's World Cup World Cup in France, one of three female northern hemisphere referees at this year's Women's World Cup World Cup. The other two were Alhambra Nievas (Spain) and Claire Hodnett (England).
The Women's World Cup World Cup official has been hailed as one of the best female referees in the world and will now step up to take charge at Ulster Bank League matches.
Ireland's referee development director Owen Doyle, a former Test referee, said: "Helen's appointment is based solely on merit.
"As the first female referee to make the panel she must be congratulated.
"Her hard work, dedication and strong refereeing performances have propelled her into the top handful of female referees in the world and into the national panel here in Ireland."
Nottingham solicitor Claire Hodnett earlier this year became England's first female referee to join the Rugby Football Union national panel.
Former Ashbourne and St Mary's player Helen O'Reilly has been refereeing for fewer than four years.
