TWO LIMERICK brothers have pulled off a double of a different kind at the close of this year’s rugby season.
Michael and Padraic Reidy, originally from Raheen, may have set a unique new record as each won awards for their excellence as referees across the 2022/23 season.
While Michael won the trophy for Munster Rugby Referee of the Year, in true sibling rivalry fashion, brother Padraic managed to claim the same award in Leinster.
Padraic Reidy, who currently lives in Dublin, is attached to the Leinster Metro region and is a member of the IRFU national referee panel. He has so far completed an impressive 10 seasons as an official, overseeing some URC clashes as Assistant Referee, as well as some international fixtures as far flung as Gdansk (Poland) and Tbilisi (Georgia).
Closer to home, Munster Rugby Referee of the Year winner Michael only began his foray into the world of refereeing in 2019, and has already expressed ambitions to progress to national level. As a player, he has previously represented Limerick in the Tag Rugby World Cup.
Both brothers attended St Nessan’s National School and St Clement’s College in Limerick, and are former Young Munster underage players.
The pair also lined out with Mungret St Pauls and Regional United. Michael lined out with Regional for an impressive 28 seasons before his retirement in 2019.
One thing is for sure, with the pair reigning champs in their field for opposing provinces, the old spirit of sibling rivalry is well and truly alive in the Reidy household.
