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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Limerick's Joy Neville became the first woman to referee a professional European club game on Friday night
LIMERICK rugby referee Joy Neville has described the distinction of bring the first woman to referee a European professional club fixture as ‘a memory I will cherish.’
World Rugby Referee of the Year Neville took charge of Bordeaux Bègles Challenge Cup pool fixture with Enisei-STM at Stade Chaban-Delmas on Friday night.
It’s the latest achievement for the Limerick woman who has been blazing a trail as a referee on the international stage.
Thank you @ERChallengeCup @ChampionsCup for giving me the opportunity to referee @UBBrugby V's @Enisei_STM. A wonderful display of rugby by both sides. Honoured to be given such an opportunity. A memory I will cherish pic.twitter.com/xFxTlWlFoF
— Joy Neville (@JoyNevilleRef) December 16, 2017
Neville thanked the Challenge Cup organisers for giving her the opportunity to take charge of Friday night’s game in the South of France.
.@JoyNevilleRef creating new European rugby history tonight at the Stade Chaban-Delmas. #ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/wqRy3qQgpp
— Challenge Cup (@ERChallengeCup) December 15, 2017
The Limerick woman earned 70 caps over an 11-year career with Ireland, winning a Gram Slam.
Neville refereed the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup final earlier this year which was staged in Ireland, and was also granted a professional contract by the IRFU.
The Limerick referee tweeted: ‘A wonderful display of rugby by both sides. Honoured to be given such an opportunity. A memory I will cherish.’
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