Sligo Referee Observer, Paul Deering has been appointed to next Sunday’s FAI Cup final between Derry City and Shelbourne at the Aviva Stadium.
He has been an FAI Referees’ Observer since 2014 when he retired as a referee from the National League panel after a 15 year career during which he appeared in four cup finals including one FAI cup final and three League Cup finals as Assistant Referee and Fourth Official.
Paul was a FIFA Assistant Referee in 2001, the only Sligoman to have ever attained that position.
Sunday’s FAI Cup Final is Paul’s first as a Referee Observer.
The match referee will be Damien McGraith from Mayo.
Paul said: “I’m looking forward to the cup final on Sunday and I’d like to wish Damien and his colleagues the very best on what should be a great occasion at the Aviva.
“What is particularly pleasing for me is that Damien completed a Referees’ Beginners course under my direction in Castlebar many years ago and I’ve watched his career progress ever since both nationally and internationally.
“His first ever FAI Cup final as referee will undoubtedly be a very special occasion for him.”
Paul began his own refereeing career in 1994 at local youth and junior level before being promoted to the National League panel in 1998.
He retired from the panel and the end of the 2012 season and began his new role as Referee Observer with promotion in this role to the National League in 2014.
