Brian Gavin: Seán Hurson was cool and calm and got the big final calls right

For a few years now, referees have been instructed to be vigilant about players in possession holding their tacklers

24 July 2022; Referee Seán Hurson presents the match ball to Seán O'Shea of Kerry after the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Kerry and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

After a hurling final as good as we enjoyed, the conclusion of the inter-county football year had a lot to live up but Kerry and Galway provided a game of real enjoyment and quality.

It was a massive game for Seán Hurson, which could be boiled down to two main incidents. I’ll come to the free against John Daly in a moment but in chronological order was it a black card Galway goalkeeper Connor Gleeson for his foul on Killian Spillane? I don’t think so. Gleeson took a hold of Spillane by the jersey more than bringing him down with his arms.