Enda McFeely elevated to national referees' panel

Donegal’s Enda McFeely has been named in the GAA Referees’ National Panel for 2023.

The St Mary’s Convoy official has been on a steady rise in the refereeing world culminating in him taking charge of the Ulster U-20 Championship  final between Tyrone and Cavan in Brewster Park, Enniskillen, earlier this year.

McFeely has taken charge of two Donegal senior championship finals already as well as numerous Dr McKenna and Ulster Club Championship encounters.

This promotion is one that he is really happy with and it is just one step away from senior intercounty championship games. He will be in line to take charge of National Football League games this year.

“There would be around 40 on the panel," McFeely told DonegalLive. "The National League panel is different from the championship panel, which would be only around 18 or 20. The championship panel would be the likes of Sean Hurson, David Gough, David Coldrick, Conor Lane I’m on the same level as them for the National League.

“I’m fairly happy. I have got there eventually. There were only two of us selected out of seven or eight put forward by the provinces,” said McFeely, who thanked the likes of Mick McGrath and the GAA in the county for promoting his chances.

He is the only Donegal man on the panel. Others from the county who would have been on the panel in the more recent past include Jimmy White, Shaun McLaughlin, Seamus McGonigle and Robbie O’Donnell.

“It’s nice to get a bit of recognition,” said McFeely, who said he would still be available for Donegal club games. “I’m at a higher level now and I have to thank Donegal for giving me that. I’ll do my piece in Donegal as much as I can.”