There is no doubt that our most successful referee in terms of European appointments has been John Spillane. A hugely successful referee, John began, like many others, who went on to distinguish themselves in Europe, during the 1970/71 season.

However it wasn't until 1978 that he officiated at his first major final, the Oscar Traynor Cup Final between Waterford D.L. and the Dublin AUL. A notable break came with the 1980 Intermediate Cup Final, when close rivals Cobh Ramblers and Tramore Athletic met at St. Coleman's Park.

He followed this with the 1982 Munster Senior Cup Final (Cork Utd. v. Waterford) and by 1984 he had progressed to be the assistant referee in the 1984 FAI Cup Final (UCD v. Shamrock Rovers). In 1988, he refereed the FAI Cup Final between Dundalk and Derry City, and it was during this period that he undertook the bulk of his twenty-five European ties, before retiring in 1991.

Unlike Kevin O'Sullivan, Pat Kelly, Eddie McGeough and other contemporaries of his, John opted to enter league management instead of continuing to educate in refereeing, on his retirement. He became Hon. Registrar to the Munster Senior League in 1993, a position he holds today.