Duffy to ref football final

PAT McENEANEY has been surprisingly overlooked for the All-Ireland football final by GAA chiefs, who’ve handed the prestigious job to Sligo whistler Marty Duffy.

McEneaney did neither of the All-Ireland semi-finals, fuelling speculation he would be handed the plum job of handling the football decider between Cork and Kerry on September 20.

McEneaney’s last high-profile game was the quarter final between Dublin and Kerry, after which retrospective disciplinary action was taken against Dublin duo Denis Bastick and Ciaran Whelan.

Duffy last night admitted he was “surprised, excited and thrilled” at being appointed referee for the All-Ireland final. It will be the first championship decider for the 42-year-old whistleblower from the Enniscrone/Kilglass club in Sligo.

“I am surprised, excited and thrilled,” he said. “This is the ultimate goal of any referee. At the back of your mind you are always hopeful of getting the final. But it was a nice surprise.

“I received a phone call from Croke Park after the appointments meeting on Monday and I have had a lot of phone calls from refereeing colleagues since. I had no inkling this was coming. But then again it is not something talked about before any appointment. Cork and Kerry is always a classic occasion and it will be brilliant to be part of.”

Duffy, a rep with Chanelle Veterinary company, will be joined by his umpiring team of Pat Cawley, Michael Kelly, John Kilgannon, and his brother Michael, also a ref. Duffy, who won a county IFC medal in the early 90s, will have no time to rest on his laurels as he will take charge of local championship games over the next two weekends. Duffy has previously taken officiated a number of Sligo and Connacht finals along with this year’s NFL Division One final between Kerry and Derry.

The All-Ireland MFC final will be refereed by Eddie Kinsella (Laois). Armagh duo Una Kearney and Pat White will take charge of the All-Ireland senior and junior camogie finals respectively on September 13.