Former All-Ireland winning Galway hurler and inter-county referee, Jimmy Cooney, has passed away at the age of 68.
Cooney played a crucial role in Galway's second-ever All-Ireland win in 1980, where he served as the left corner-back during the 2–15 to 3–9 victory against Limerick. He also participated in the 1981 final, although his side faced a 2–12 to 0–15 defeat against Offaly.
Cooney stayed with Galway's senior hurlers until 1983, Cooney had a successful club career with Sarsfields, contributing to their All-Ireland club title triumph in 1993 after securing three Galway county titles.
Later on, he transitioned to refereeing and became widely recognised as a reputable referee in Gaelic games. However, he became infamous for mistakenly blowing the final whistle two minutes early during the Offaly versus Clare 1998 All-Ireland semi-final replay, a match meant to last 70 minutes.
'What I had done, was set it for a 30 minute second half, not a 35, but I didn't know it at the time of course!'
Ní raibh an t-am caite sa gcluiche nuair a shéid Jimmy Cooney an fheadóg i gcluiche cinniúnach idir @Offaly_GAA & @GaaClare i '98
16/12 | 21:30 @TG4TV#RéabhlóidGAA pic.twitter.com/LO6HnxrZbo— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) December 11, 2020
Upon realizing his mistake, it was already too late, as security guards had begun escorting him off the field. In response, Offaly players staged a sit-down protest. In adherence to the rules, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) ordered a replay, and ultimately, Offaly emerged victorious, winning the third game.
In an interview with Vincent Hogan in the “Irish Independent” a month later, Cooney lamented the incident, saying, “Michael Bodkin, the nearest linesman to me at the time, came walking in, shaking his head. Then Aodhan Mac Suibhne and one of my umpires arrived. All three of them were shaking their heads. I took a second look at the watch and I knew exactly what was after happening me. I had played a 30-minute half, instead of 35. At that stage, I wished to God the whole world could open up and take me away altogether."
The mentioned match was his final inter-county appointment, marking the end of an eventful and influential career in Gaelic games.
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