Brian Gavin: Neither Owens or Kennedy do themselves any favours in provincial deciders

Sunday's Munster final was James Owens' poorest display of the championship. It was a battle that cried out for control without letting too much go, but Owens contributed to it being a stop-start event.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE: Referee James Owens takes the brunt of Cork's post-final whistle frustration at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Pic: Tom O’Hanlon, Inpho

For referees, the Munster hurling final would be considered the second biggest game of the year. The occasion, the bragging rights, the venues and the need to do all of that justice culminate into the highest honour outside of an All-Ireland final.

If you forget his replacing of injured Thomas Walsh in last year’s game in Limerick, this was James Owens’ first appointment to a Munster final since 2015. And he deserved it. He had been refereeing with confidence and his handling of the Cork-Limerick game in Páirc Úí Chaoimh in April was excellent.