Owens and Murphy confirmed as All-Ireland Hurling Finals referees
Tuesday 7 August 2018
The GAA has confirmed the referees and match officials for the 2018 GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior and Minor Championship finals on August 19.
James Owens will referee the Senior Final, while Johnny Murphy from Limerick will officiate in the Minor game between Galway and Kilkenny.
Wexford native Owens will take charge of the All-Ireland Senior final between Galway and Limerick in what will be James’ second Senior Final having previously refereed the 2015 Final between Kilkenny and Galway.
Owens, who is a member of the Askamore club, has also refereed the All-Ireland Minor Final in 2007, All-Ireland Under 21 final in 2008 and the All Ireland Senior Club final 2015.
In this year’s Hurling Championship, James has refereed the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final between Clare and Galway, the Leinster Final replay between Kilkenny and Galway, as well as Kilkenny v Offaly Leinster Championship match and two Munster championship games – Cork v Limerick and Clare v Limerick.
His umpires on the day will be James Dunbar and David Owens (both Askamore), Joe Kelly (Naomh Éanna) and Ian Plunkett (Marshalstown).
Tipperary’s Fergal Horgan will be the standby referee. The other linesman is Sean Cleere (Kilkenny) and the Sideline official will be Patrick Murphy (Carlow).
