THE GAA HAVE announced that James McGrath will take charge of Sunday week’s All-Ireland senior hurling final replay between Galway and Kilkenny in Croke Park.
It will mark the second time this season that he is the man in the middle for a clash between Anthony Cunningham and Brian Cody’s teams after he officiated when they met in the Leinster final in July. McGrath will be refereeing after his fellow county man Brian Kelly had been in charge for the drawn match between the counties.
McGrath previously refereed the 2009 All-Ireland minor final between Galway and Kilkenny along with the 2010 U21 All-Ireland decider between Tipperary and Galway.
The Turin clubman has also been busy this year and refereed the Allianz hurling league Final between Kilkenny and Cork as well as the Leinster championship decider. The full list of officials for the senior clash have also been announced with extra-time set to be played in the event of a draw and RTÉ will broadcast live coverage of the match.
Referee: James McGrath (Westmeath)
Stand-By Referee: John Sexton (Cork)
Linesman: Barry Kelly (Westmeath)
Sideline Official: James Owens (Wexford)
Umpires: Tom McNicholas (Lough Lene Gaels), David Hennessy (Lough Lene Gaels), Johnny Fitzpatrick (Lough Lene Gaels), David Clune (Delvin).
It has also been revealed that Galway’s Alan Kelly will referee the All-Ireland minor final replay, which will be televised by TV3, between Tipperary and Dublin which will be the curtain-raiser to the senior match. The Rahoon-Newcastle clubman has previously this year refereed the All-Ireland SHC club final between Coolderry and Loughgiel Shamrocks, the Allianz hurling league semi-final game between Kilkenny and Clare, and the Leinster SHC tie between Carlow and Laois.
Referee: Alan Kelly (Galway)
Stand-By Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork)
Linesman: Garrett Duffy (Antrim)
Sideline Official: Sean Cleere (Cill Chainnigh)
Umpires: Morgan Darcy (Moycullen), Padraic Connolly (Cappataggle), Mike Mackey (Rahoon/Newcastle), Oliver King (Mountbellew/Moylough)
