In the 2016 Championship Deegan has officiated at the quarter-final between Kerry and Clare, the Ulster semi-final replay between Donegal and Monaghan and the Ulster quarter-final involving Donegal and Fermanagh.

“I’m delighted, the wait yesterday was hard, I just found out this morning, and I’m really honoured that I will get the chance to referee another All Ireland Final,” Deegan told gaa.ie today.

He is expecting a lively replay between the 2015 champions and a Mayo side desperate to land a first title in 65 years.

“The fact that it is a replay probably heightens it a bit too. The rivalry with Dublin and Mayo at the moment, I’m just looking forward to it.”

As expected, Maurice Deegan to referee All-Ireland SFC final replay on Saturday week. #GAA #sportlive

— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) September 20, 2016

Deegan said he feels about refereeing the way the players do about playing.

“For me it is the same as lads playing I love refereeing, love the social aspect. There are many sides to refereeing surrounding the matches and I enjoy it. If I didn’t I wouldn’t be doing it.”

He added: “I’d be very competitive - after 2008 and 2012 I still wanted to do an All Ireland. That is what kept me going and to do three is a huge honour. There is satisfaction in it and to be given another chance is great.”

Kevin O’Brien, John Flynn, Tomás Moore, and Richard Oxley have been chosen as Deegan’s umpires.