Westmeath's McGrath to referee Galway-Kilkenny replay

Westmeath whistler James McGrath has been given the plum job of refereeing Sunday week's GAA All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final replay between Galway and Kilkenny.

McGrath will be the man in the middle for the eagerly-awaited rematch between the defending All-Ireland champions and the team that beat them in this year's Leinster final.

He was the stand-by referee for the recent drawn game between the sides which was also refereed by a Westmeath official - Barry Kelly.

McGrath, who was recently appointed vice principal of Castlepollard Community College, is no stranger to the Cats and the Tribesmen.

He refereed the Leinster decider between the counties back in July, and was also the referee for their Walsh Cup final clash earlier in the year.

Among the Turin clubman's other big appointments this season was the Allianz Hurling League final between Kilkenny and Cork in Thurles.

Next week's senior showpiece will complete a hat-trick of major final appearances for McGrath, who took charge of the All-Ireland MHC final in 2009 and the All-Ireland Under-21 HC final in 2010.

Meanwhile, Galway's Alan Kelly has been given the task of refereeing the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship final replay between Dublin and Tipperary.

That game will act as the curtain raiser at Croke Park on September 30, throwing in at 1.15pm, with the senior showdown getting underway at 3.30pm.