Tipperary native Paddy Russell has been one of the leading referees in the GAA for the past 30 years. His story is a remarkable one, following his rise from humble beginnings to the peaks of two All-Ireland senior football finals.

Inspired by the late, great John Moloney, Russell took his first steps in refereeing in 1976. He quickly emerged as a leading light and rapidly worked his way to the top of his profession.

Russell has found himself at the centre of controversial GAA episodes in recent years and in Final Whistle, he talks about these incidents in detail, with fresh material from leading GAA figures such as former Dublin footballer Charlie Redmond and Tyrone legend Peter Canavan.

Russell’s career has been laced with drama, including the famous incident with Redmond in 1995 when the player was sent off twice in the All-Ireland final.

Redmond’s refusal to leave the pitch was voted as number 16 on RTÉ TV’s Top 20 Moments that shook Irish sport.

Russell took charge of the tempestuous National Football League clash between Dublin and Tyrone in 2006, which became known as ‘The Battle of Omagh', and the stormy showdown between Leinster rivals Dublin and Meath in April 2008, when five players were sent off.

On June 15 2008, Kerry captain Paul Galvin slapped the notebook from Russell’s hands and was handed a six-month suspension from the GAA, later halved on appeal.

In 'Final Whistle', Russell reflects on his eventful journey, including these landmark matches, and describes vividly the stresses and strains of refereeing modern-day Gaelic games.

'Final Whistle' is due for publication by internationally-renowned Edinburgh-based Mainstream Publishing and will hit bookshops in early October.

In recent years, Mainstream Publishing have come to the fore in the world of GAA books, leading the way with the biographies of former Cork hurler Brian Corcoran Every Single Ball and Armagh footballer Oisín McConville’s The Gambler. Both of these titles were bestsellers.

On Wednesday, October 1 2008, Final Whistle will be officially launched by GAA President Nickey Brennan at the Golden Thatch, Emly, county Tipperary. GAA supporters everywhere are invited to attend on the night.

Author bios:
Paddy Russell is 50 years old and has been refereeing on the intercounty circuit since 1981. He has taken charge of numerous big games, including two All-Ireland senior football finals.

Jackie Cahill, from Golden in Tipperary, is a successful freelance GAA reporter and has written for a host of Irish newspapers and magazines.