Wicklow’s John Keenan admits that he was thrilled to receive the news that he would referee this year’s Leinster SHC final.

Keenan will be the man in the middle for the provincial decider between old rivals Kilkenny and Wexford at Croke Park on Sunday, June 30th.

The Aughrim native has been making steady progress up the ranks in recent years and he revealed to the Wicklow People that it was great to get the call for this game.

“You’d like to think you’re in with a good chance of getting the nod. The year has gone well for me. I had a good league. The league semi-final went well for me and then I’ve had three good championship matches, two in Munster and one in Leinster, so you’d be hoping but you wouldn’t know until you get word,” said Keenan.

Meanwhile, another Wicklow native will oversee this weekend’s Munster SFC final between Cork and Kerry at Pairc Ui Chaoimh as Anthony Nolan takes charges and he too is looking forward to heading south this weekend.

“It’s nice to be part of a provincial final,” said Nolan. He added: “It’s my first time ever to referee in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. The last time I was in Pairc Ui Chaoimh I was in the middle of it in 1996 at an Oasis concert. That’s the last time I was in it.”

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