Cork's Diarmuid Kirwan is set to be appointed referee for next month's All-Ireland hurling final between Kilkenny and Tipperary. It will be the Offaly native's second All-Ireland final in three years, having also taken charge of the 2007 final between Kilkenny and Limerick. On that occasion, he followed in the footsteps of his father Gerry, who was the man in the middle for the 1988 All-Ireland hurling final between Galway and Tipperary. Hailing from Ballyskenach on the Offaly-Tipp border, Kirwan has been living in Cork for a number of years where he is attached to the Erin's Own club in Ovens. Last year, he took charge of the Munster final between Tipperary and Clare, and the All-Ireland semi-final between Tipperary and Waterford, but lost out to Westmeath's Barry Kelly for the final. The Lake County will once again be represented on All-Ireland final day as Turin clubman James McGrath is set to handle the All-Ireland minor decider between Galway and Kilkenny. The Athlone-based schoolteacher has already refereed the All-Ireland club final between Portumna and De La Salle this year. Tweet

Most Read Stories