IRISH woman Michelle O’Neill will make history tomorrow when she officiates at the Uefa Super Cup in Istanbul.
The Wexford assistant ref will help oversee the glamour tie between Liverpool and Chelsea.
O’Neill, 40, who was part of the team of officials who took charge of the Women’s World Cup Final, is an experienced operator in the League of Ireland and Women’s National League.
O’Neill, who is also a qualified fitness instructor, previously told how she had a close encounter with American superstar striker Megan Rapinoe moments before the World Cup Final on July 7.
She smiled: “I was just doing my last check before we went out to the pitch and I shook her hand — I shake every captain’s hand — and she looked at me and said, ‘well, are you ready?’ I said, ‘hey, I was born ready’.
“She gave me a little smile and I was like, ‘yeah, she knows I’m here now’.”
HISTORIC OCCASION
Referee Stephanie Frappart will take charge of tomorrow night’s game, flanked by her team of assistants who earned rave reviews for their efforts in France this summer.
O’Neill and her colleagues are putting all their efforts into the final, but Frappart is hoping they get to enjoy the historic occasion as well.
She explained: “I think as a team, we’ll all have a chance to savour the occasion before and after the match, but it’s essential that we’re fully concentrated on the game at the right time.
“We’ll be able to study the two teams beforehand — this opportunity to learn how the teams play is a big help to us, it’s crucial for us.
“I think it’s essential that referees are respected by the players on the field, and that they can live with the pressures.”
DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
Welcoming the mostly female appointments, Uefa president Aleksander ČCeferin said: “I have said on many occasions that the potential for women’s football has no limits and I am delighted that Stephanie Frappart has been appointed to officiate at this year’s UEFA Super Cup along with assistant referees Manuela Nicolosi and Michelle O’Neill.
“As an organisation, we place the utmost importance on the development of women’s football in all areas.”
O’Neill also spoke about her immense pride at officiating at last month’s World Cup Final and revealed: “I was in the line-up and the anthems were playing.
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“I searched for my family in the crowd and I couldn’t believe it, they were directly in front of me in their seats. I just focused on them. The emotions were there.
“I closed my Facebook page, Instagram, all social media on Friday because I knew it would probably blow up. I didn’t want to be distracted.
“I just wanted to stay focused.”
