Latest: Referee David Gough reportedly withdraws from Down SFC final between Kilcoo and Burren

Kilcoo had submitted a last-ditch objection against the appointment of referee Paul Faloon what was initally rejected before now being overturned by Croke Park’s Disputes Resolution Authority.

Referee David Gough. 

DOWN GAA insist that the county football final will go ahead Sunday despite a bizarre controversy which has seen All-Ireland referee David Gough reportedly withdraw as the replacement referee.

Gough had been drafted in at the eleventh hour to referee the decider between Burren and reigning champions Kilcoo following the latter's objection against the initial appointment of Paul Faloon.

Kilcoo initially lodged an internal appeal to the county hearings committee against Faloon's appointment but when that was rejected, it was brought to Croke Park’s Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).

There had been speculation that the showpiece occasion could be delayed by a week following Kilcoo’s appeal on Saturday but the situation took a new twist after the Irish News reported that Meath man Gough would instead taking charge of today’s decider at Pairc Esler. However, at lunchtime Sunday it emerged that Gough would not be taking the whistle for the Down final, with local referee Brian Higgins now set to handle the game.

Kilcoo were unsuccessful in their appeal against the red card shown to defender Niall Branagan in the semi-final win over Clonduff so he will miss today’s final against the St Mary’s.

The Magpies are aiming to win a fifth successive Down senior title, having claimed ten out of the last 11 with Burren the the club breaking that sequence back in 2018.