Oisin McConville has praised referee Maggie Farrelly for breaking new ground and said he expects her to be overseeing championship matches "within the next year or two".
The Cavan official made more history at the weekend when she became the first woman to referee in the Allianz Football League, taking charge of the Leitrim-London Division 4 encounter at a storm-battered Connacht Centre of Excellence after it was moved from Carrick-on-Shannon.
It's the latest in a series of landmark accomplishments for Farrelly, and McConville says her refereeing career will continue to reach new heights.
"Anyone who knows Maggie Farrelly and has seen her progress through the ranks will definitely say that she has served her apprenticeship and she has served it very, very well," the former Armagh footballer told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
"Yesterday was the culmination of a lot of hard work. We've run a campaign of, if you can't see it you can't be it... I think this will inspire a lot of other females to get into refereeing.
"She did an excellent job, and let's face it, she couldn't have been put in any more difficult circumstances when you consider the [weather] she reffed her first league game in.
"I think that progression is going to continue and it's inevitable that within the next year or two she's going to be refereeing championship matches. Rightly so, because she is an excellent referee."
Reflecting on the weekend's action McConville said Dublin have issues, but issues that can be solved. The Sky Blues fell to their third league loss on the spin against Mayo, making it their worst start to an Allianz League campaign since 2001.
"The concern doesn't come from the fact they've lost three games," McConville said. "I think the concern comes from the manner of the performances. The same problems they had against Armagh in the first game seemed to come home to roost again the other night against Mayo.
"Short term there's a lot of fixing to do, but I think the championship comes around they will be okay. I don't think there's any need for any panic for Dubs fans but certainly a bit of mild concern at this stage."
One of the feelgood stories of the spring so far has been London's excellent start to Division 4.
The Exiles are top of the table after their 2-05 to 0-09 victory over Leitrim, with McConville adding: "There's not one person in this country that would have given them a chance to be sitting in that position. It's testament to [manager] Michael Maher and his team and the way they've gone about things.
"It's been exceptional, and when you consider the circumstances it makes it even more remarkable."
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