A look at Wicklow refs in 2017
THE last 12 months was a very interesting period of time for Wicklow referees on the playing fields of the Garden County and beyond.
Anthony Nolan’s rise through the ranks of inter-county football referees continued apace with the Grangecon native taking charge of the Leinster Senior football final and the All-Ireland Minor football final in Croke Park in what was a wonderful and deserved achievement for the Rathnew resident.
Aughrim’s John Keenan was the man in charge of several high profile national league and championship games and would have played a more prominent part in the later stages of the club and county year had injury not put paid to his chances.
Within Wicklow, Ciaran Fleming took charge of his first Senior hurling final and had a commendable afternoon in Aughrim.
Declan Peppard took charge of the Senior football decider and handled it professionally and capably.
There were a number of referees taking charge of their first county finals including the impressive Noel Kinsella who took charge of the superbly entertianing Junior ‘A’ football decider.
A total of 10 new referees completed the referee’s course while several course for umpires and referee’s assessors were also held.
Referee Roll Of Honour 2017 Senior Football Final: Declan Peppard
Senior Hurling Final: Ciaran Fleming
Intermediate Football Final: Kieron Kenny
IHC Final: Eddie Leonard
Junior A Football Final: Noel Kinsella
Junior A Hurling Final: Jimmy Kelly
Junior B Football Final: Liam Keenan Jnr
Junior B Hurling Final: Paul Porter
Junior C Football Final: Keith Peppard
Junior C Hurling Final: Eugene Doherty
Minor Football Final: Robert Whelan
Minor Hurling Final: Ciaran Manley
Keating Cup Final: Liam Cullen
Swan Cup Final: Matt Dowling
Billy Byrne Cup Final: Paul Porter
Dessie Murphy Final: Con O Ceadaigh
Timmons Cup Final: John O’Brien
Johnny Fox Cup Final: Robert Whelan
Finan Cup Final: Darragh Byrne
Carter Cup Final: Matt Dowling
Schweppes Cup Final: Con O Ceadaigh
West League Final: Brendan Kelly
Wilson Buttle Final: Damien Byrne