There will be a Northern Ireland football first at tonight’s McComb’s Coach Travel Intermediate Cup final as referee Louise Thompson becomes the first female to take charge of the annual showpiece match.
The FIFA referee will be in the middle as Dollingstown take on Newington and Louise’s assistant referees for the evening will be Vicky Finlay and Rachel Greer. Tonight’s fourth official is Michael McKenna.
Earlier this year Louise, Vicky and Rachel officiated at in the fifth round Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup tie between Newry City and Bangor.
Wishing tonight's official well for the game, Trevor Moutray, the Irish FA’s Head of Refereeing, added: "The Irish FA welcomes and positively encourages more females and ex-players to start refereeing. There are no barriers or obstacles, as demonstrated by the progress and success tonight’s match officials have achieved. If interested in taking a referee recruitment class please get in touch:trevor.moutray@irishfa.com”
