John Keenan insists age-limit for match officials should be reviewed

Referee John Keenan instructs players to move back during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kilkenny and Limerick. Pic: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

Former All-Ireland SHC final referee John Keenan says the age limit of 50 for match officials should be reviewed.

Wicklow man Keenan took charge of the 2023 Limerick-Kilkenny decider in what was his last game having had to retire from the inter-county game because of his age.

Speaking to Clare FM, Keenan argued for the change. “Myself and Paud (O’Dwyer) were both 50 in 2023, and we were both gunning for the one thing (an All-Ireland final). It would have been lovely for both of us to have got one because we are very close and still are.

“We were very fit at 50, We looked hard, we looked after ourselves. You won’t go until you’re 54, 55. It’s physically not possible, that’s being honest with you. But another year or two… I would have loved to come back after 2023 and have another year or two at it.

“We were passing fitness tests, we were passing all our rules tests. If I didn’t pass a fitness test in 2024 or didn’t pass all the rules tests, I would have had no issue, but I do think it should be fitness performance-related, not age-related. That’s the way I’d like it to be.

“Now, I understand why it was brought in because it actually helped me along. Some of the older brigade, Brian Gavin, Barry Kelly and those, were moved on, and it gave us a chance to come in and get the games. I understood it but I was still disappointed.” 

Meanwhile, the Munster Council are to launch the new Páidí Ó Sé Cup for the provincial senior football championship in Ventry on Wednesday, May 6.

Earlier this year, it was announced the material reward for winning the competition would be named after the former Kerry manager and eight-time All-Ireland SFC winner. Ó Sé won the Munster senior championship on 11 occasions as a player, once as captain in 1985, and six times as manager.

Terrace tickets for Sunday week’s Munster SFC final between Kerry and Cork in Fitzgerald Stadium have gone on general sale at €30 for adults, €25 for students/old age pensioners and €5 for juveniles.

Admission is currently open for the green and blue terraces on the St Finan’s Hospital side of the stadium and the red terrace at the Lewis Road End.

Tickets for the seated O’Sullivan Stand have been split between the county boards and season ticket holders of which Cork account for 1,500.

Club delegates in Cork receive 550 with the remaining 1,000 of the county’s allocation spread between players and managements, sponsors, All-Ireland SFC winners, officers and staff.

The John Keenan interview can be heard here.