Ex-Tipperary star James Woodlock wants ‘fairness’ from Brian Gavin

Former Tipperary star James Woodlock has appealed for “fairness” from referee Brian Gavin in Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC final against Kilkenny.

Tipp’s recent record against the Cats in big championship games isn’t good, as Kilkenny won the 2011 and 2014 finals, the latter a replay, as well as a 2013 qualifier at Nowlan Park, all games the Offaly official took charge of.

Woodlock also believes it’s “strange” no referee from Munster has appointed to a final since Michael Wadding in 2010, when Tipp stopped Kilkenny’s ‘drive for five’, and noted that Barry Kelly hasn’t taken charge of a championship game involving the Cats since he was criticised in 2014.