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History-making referee Joy Neville announces her retirement
By PA
Referee Joy Neville, the first woman to officiate at a men’s Rugby World Cup, has announced she will retire at the end of the season.
The 40-year-old was selected as a television match official for last year’s tournament in France.
She oversaw five pool stage matches, including England’s 34-12 victory over Japan in Nice.
Limerick-born Neville, a former Ireland captain, also refereed the Women’s Rugby World Cup final in 2017, when New Zealand defeated England 41-32 in Belfast.
She will take up a new role as referee development manager in Connacht, working to recruit and train referees.
“When I first took up the whistle after my playing career concluded, I could never have imagined the places the game would take me,” Neville said in a statement on the Irish Rugby Football Union’s website.
“To be involved in, firstly, the Women’s Rugby World Cup final was a huge honour and to then progress through to the Men’s Rugby World Cup made me incredibly proud and it’s only when I look back now that I can truly appreciate those achievements.”
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Latest Comments
He’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
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