Joe McQuillan (Cavan)
The Cavan man thoroughly deserves this appointment. he has been the best referee in this year's Championship. his summer started with a baptism of fire, the first round clash between Donegal and Tyrone in Ballybofey. Aside from his failure to punish Donegal's players for not retreating 13 metres for Niall Morgan's free-kicks, McQuillan acquitted himself extremely well. he also impressed in his other outings (Dublin v Kildare, Kildare v Tyrone and Mayo v Donegal). McQuillan was in charge of the 2011 final which Dublin won with a late free-kick. he was also the man-in-the-middle for last year's semi-final between Dublin and Mayo which the Connacht men won. If the game is tied in the dying minutes, McQuillan will be able to predict the headlines if the Dubs win with another late free!