Kelly set for fourth all ireland
Top hurling referee, Mullingar’s Barry Kelly, will take charge of his fourth All-Ireland senior hurling final on Sunday September 7, when Kilkenny face Tipperary in Croke Park.
The GAA announced the appointment yesterday (Monday), with Tipperary’s Fergal Horgan poised to take charge of the All-Ireland minor hurling final between Kilkenny and Limerick.
Kelly previously took charge of the 2012 final between Kilkenny and Galway, the 2008 decider between Kilkenny and Waterford, and the 2006 final between Kilkenny and Cork.
The St Oliver Plunkett’s clubman and St Finian’s College, Mullingar teacher also refereed the All-Ireland minor final in 2000, the All-Ireland U21 final in 2004, the All-Ireland Senior Club finals in 2004 and 2014, three Leinster finals, one Munster final and one Ulster decider.
In this year’s championship, Kelly has refereed the All-Ireland SHC quarter-final between Limerick and Wexford, the Leinster SHC final between Dublin and Kilkenny, and the Munster semi-final meeting of Tipperary vs Limerick.
His umpires on the day will be Séamus O’Brien, Michael 'Cosy’ Coyle (both St Oliver Plunketts), Paddy Walsh (Clonkill) and Paul Reville (Turin). Offaly’s Brian Gavin will be the standby referee.