The GAA have announced that Joe McQuillan will referee the All-Ireland Football Final on September 17th.
With both Dublin and Mayo having some 'previous' with the Cavan official, the immediate response to the decision has largely been one of disbelief, if not a little anger.
Since Joe McQuillan was just announced as ref for Dublin v Mayo, there has been some amount of concern expressed online. Doesn't auger well
— Shane Stapleton (@ShaneSaint) September 4, 2017
Joe McQuillan an interesting choice seeing as he annoyed both Mayo and Dublin the last time they met in a final. pic.twitter.com/0d88uyfDoL
— Donnchadh Boyle (@depboyle) September 4, 2017
McQuillan refereed both the 2011 and 2013 senior finals and this will be his third such outing.
On being appointed, McQuillan told GAA.ie that he had,
refereed Dublin and Mayo in the Final 2013, and two years ago in the drawn Semi-Final. I'm familiar with both teams, I know the players involved. ... It will be a great day.
With Tipperary's Fergal Horgan pleasing many for his free-flowing mandate for yesterday's All-Ireland hurling final, McQuillan, who is known to be a little 'whistle-happy', may not officiate the game in the manner many would like to see it played.
Yea I know, hurling is more entertaining in general but McQuillan won't let the football flow at all.
— Gillian Murphy (@Gill_Murphy) September 4, 2017
Mayo will have to beat 16 men if they are to win Sam for first time since 1951. Joe McQuillan will referee. 🙈 #dublinsfavouritereferee
— Killian Whelan (@Killian_Whelan) September 4, 2017
Joe McQuillan 🙈 lord save us
— Peter O'Leary (@poleary7) September 4, 2017
Does anyone really believe that Joe McQuillan is the best ref in the country. How is he getting another final #dublinjoe #gaa #dubvmay
— ian galvin (@IanGalvinNYGAA) September 4, 2017
Joe McQuillan is the ref for the final... dear lord can they not give us a break 😩
— Chloe O'Brien (@Chloe_OBrien98) September 4, 2017
Hilarious how Dublin fans make out they don't like Joe McQuillan Even their manager Remember he's not called Dublin Joe for nothing
— Mícheál Ó Gallchobhair (@itsskitime) September 4, 2017
Although the benefit of the doubt should be afforded to the experienced referee (many were sceptical of Horgan's appointment initially), it's fair to say that fans are not all that pleased at the moment anyway.
