Russell began refereeing in 1976, motivated by fellow Tipperary native John Moloney.
[3] Russell also refereed the 1995 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final between Dublin and Tyrone.
[7] A 2006 National League game, also between Dublin and Tyrone and overseen by Russell, was dubbed the "Battle of Omagh".
[tone][9] In a 2008 Munster SFC semi-final, Russell was at the centre of the action yet again[tone] because Kerry player Paul Galvin knocked the notebook out of Russell's hand when the man was trying to send Galvin off.
Galvin later wrote in his book: "Paddy Russell struck me as a decent man.