He was a controversial selection to referee the 2017 National League final.[1] But he refereed the game very well and then got booed and dissected on TV the night of a qualifier between Armagh and Tipperary in Thurles went wrong.[2][3] Another escort from the pitch a Guard either side of him followed after Meath and Tyrone played out a 2018 All Ireland Qualifier.[4]
Then he was in charge of the 2025 All-Ireland Club Final in January 2025.[17][18] With a Galwayman refereeing the Hurling Final, it meant Connacht had the referee for both Senior Club Finals that year.[19] Then he was in charge for the 2025 Connacht Senior Football Championship Final.[20]
Personal life
Neilan is a member of St Faithleach's GAA club in County Roscommon. [7] He is an electrician in Sligo. He is married and, as of 2019, was a father of two, living in the Ballyleague area of Roscommon.[7]
1234Duke, Seamus (1 January 2020). "Paddy Neilan Interview – December 2019". Roscommon People Plus Magazine. Paddy Neilan is not alone the number one Gaelic Football referee in Roscommon but in Connacht too... People in the county would say that Paddy Neilan should be refereeing the club senior final every year because he is the best referee in the county what would you say to that?