Coldrick to referee All-Ireland football final

DAVID COLDRICK is the surprise appointment to referee the All-Ireland senior football decider between Cork and Down in Croke Park on September 19.

It had been thought Galway referee Gearóid O’Conámha and Donegal whistler Jimmy White were the frontrunners for the honour but Meath man Coldrick will now take charge of the clash, three years after handling his first All-Ireland senior football final, between Cork and Kerry.

O’Conámha will be the stand-by referee with Maurice Deegan (Laois) acting as linesman and Syl Doyle (Wexford) the sideline official for the day.

Coldrick will be assisted by umpires Tony Kearney, John Coldrick (both Blackhall Gaels), James Matthews (Cortown) and Stephen O’Hare (Syddan).

Sligo man Michael Duffy will be in charge of the minor decider with Kevin Bourke, Pat Cawley, Pádraig McGourty and Pádraic Hamilton the four umpires.

The stand-by referee is Joe Curley (Meath), linesman Frank Flynn (Leitrim) and sideline official John Fitzpatrick (New York).

Meanwhile, the Mayo County Board have been directed to compile a short list of candidates for the position of county senior football boss following a board executive meeting on Tuesday night. Following this, a manager appointment committee will be appointed by the executive, and ratified by the county committee to interview those candidates.

Elsewhere, the GPA has urged supporters not to encroach onto the Croke Park pitch after next Sunday’s All-Ireland senior hurling decider between Tipperary and Kilkenny and has reiterated its support for the GAA campaign to end pitch invasions.

“The Gaelic Players Association would like to ask supporters once again to respect their players by not entering the Croke Park pitch after next Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling final.

“While we understand that this represents a break with tradition, the GPA is happy to support the initiative as it is not acceptable that players should have to endure verbal abuse or physical interference after an intense championship game. We would also appeal to fans to consider losing players, particularly after this year’s All-Ireland finals. This is not a snub on patrons who support the games. The quality of the Croke Park stadium is a testament to the respect for the Gaelic games supporter. Incidents of attacks on players may be isolated but they still cannot be tolerated.”

Meanwhile, the Cork senior footballers are holding an open training session this evening in Páirc Ui Chaoimh at 6.30 as part of the build-up to their All-Ireland senior final meeting with Down.

Fans will have an opportunity to meet the Cork players and get autographs, with a free team poster being handed out to everyone who arrives tonight.

Down are holding their open night with fans next Monday at 7pm in Páirc Esler in Newry.