Eddie Foley, a 36-year-old Army man from Youghal, Co Cork, has been appointed as an assistant referee for the World Cup finals in France next summer.

Foley is the first official from the Republic of Ireland, to be appointed to the refeeing panel for World Cup finals. An IFA referee, Alan Snoddy has officiated in two World Cup finals.

Foley, who has refereed in the First Division of the National League, has been a member of FIFA's panel of assistant referees for the last four years. His appointment was described yesterday by Paddy Daly, the National League's chief inspector, as a "huge boost for Irish refereeing".

Day added: "We have waited a long time for an appointment like this and now that it has been confirmed, I'm delighted." "It's a big development for the game in this part of the country".