Wicklow's John Keenan will officiate the All-Ireland hurling final between Limerick and Kilkenny next week, it is revealed that Keenan was the favored candidate for the event. This opportunity comes particularly after Fergal Horgan withdrew from the inter-county panel earlier in the year.
Keenan's refereeing experience spans over several significant hurling matches, including the 2016 All-Ireland minor final, the 2018 All-Ireland U-21 final, the 2019 Leinster hurling final, and the 2022 Munster final. The latter match stirred controversy as retrospective suspensions were initially imposed on two Clare hurlers but were subsequently overturned during hearings.
After the Munster final last year, Keenan did not receive any further appointments for the remaining seven championship games. However, his refereeing history also includes the 2021 All-Ireland semi-final between Limerick and Waterford, during which he issued a red card to Peter Casey. This decision, too, was overturned in subsequent hearings.
The GAA are delighted to confirm that John Keenan from @wicklowgaa will be the referee for the 2023 GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final on July 23rd between @LimerickCLG and @KilkennyCLG in what will be John's first Senior Final. #GAABelong
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 13, 2023
Keenan, affiliated with the Aughrim club, officiated the All-Ireland quarter-final clash between Galway and Tipperary this year. He also oversaw Munster Championship encounters between Tipperary and Clare, as well as Waterford and Clare, along with two Leinster Championship games.
The upcoming final will mark Keenan's 22nd involvement as referee in a Liam MacCarthy game since his initial appointment in 2014. Assisting him as umpires will be Tommy Redmond (Tinahely), Eddie Leonard (St Patrick’s), Paul Reville (Turin), and David Clune (Delvin).
The linemen appointed for the final are Liam Gordon from Galway and James Owens from Wexford, with Gordon acting as the standby referee. Shane Hynes from Galway will serve as the sideline official.
Notably, Keenan follows in the footsteps of Jimmy Hatton, another Wicklow referee who regularly featured in All-Ireland hurling finals during the 1960s.
Sunday, July 23
GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final
Kilkenny v Limerick, Croke Park, 3.30pm (RTÉ/BBC)
Referee: John Keenan, Cill Maintain
Stand By: Liam Gordon, Gaillimh
Linesman: James Owens, Loch Gorman
Sideline: Shane Hynes, Gaillimh
Umpires: Tommy Redmond, Eddie Leonard, Paul Reville and David Clu
