A top international football referee who failed to take a seat on the board of Verona’s Independent Wexford Alliance Murphy is to seek a Dáil seat in Wexford for Fianna Fail.

Party sources confirmed that Michelle O’NeillWexford native who was assistant referee in the 2019 Women’s World Cup final, is to be added to the ticket in the four-seat constituency alongside Minister of State James Browne.

The constituency is expected to be extremely competitive after a split which saw its territory significantly reduced during the redrawing of Dáil constituencies by the Electoral Commission last year. She will compete against Ms Murphy, Mr Browne, three Fine Gael candidates, a strong Labor candidate and a strong Aontú candidate – with local rumors persisting that former TD Mick Wallace could stand for election.

Ms O’Neill won 368 first preference votes as an independent under the banner of the Wexford Independent Alliance in June’s local elections.

Fianna Fáil said she was “one of the country’s most accomplished female referees, with an impressive sporting career”. Ms O’Neill said she was “delighted” to be added to the ticket, saying she was a “very proud Wexford woman”.

“I am ready to work for the people of Wexford by being a strong local voice on the issues facing my constituents. I am someone who has broken glass ceilings throughout my career, I am committed to continuing to do so.