Barry Kelly won't forget last Monday morning in a hurry.

The Westmeath whistler had just started a new teaching job in St. Finian's College, Mullingar when he received a call from Croke Park informing him that he had been appointed to referee Sunday week's All-Ireland SHC final between Kilkenny and Tipperary.

The St. Oliver Plunkett's clubman, who taught in Birr Community School for 20 years before landing a job in his home town, told the Westmeath Topic: "It was my first day in St. Finian's and we were at a staff meeting when I got a call from Patrick Doherty in Croke Park. When we got a break, I returned the call and obviously got the good news. I was delighted.

"It's been an amazing week when you think about it. I'm obviously delighted to be working in St. Finian's, Mullingar, although I enjoyed teaching in Birr for the past 20 years. It's great to be finally closer to home."

Barry's appointment to his fourth All-Ireland hurling final - he equals fellow county man Paddy Collins' record of four All-Ireland football finals - comes after both his wife Catherine and one of his umpires, Noel Nugent, passed away in the past year.

"I've had great support from family and friends over the past year, which means an awful lot," he said.

"Noelie, who umpired for me for many years, was with us in Croke Park on All-Ireland final day and it's sad from that perspective too."

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