Ballylanders’ Johnny Murphy selected for 2021 hurling championship

Johnny Murphy, a member of Ballylanders GAA Club, was last week announced as one of the panel of thirty referees for the 2021 GAA championship for the coming season. He is one of 15 inter-county senior hurling championship referees selected.

The Limerick man made his senior hurling championship debut with the whistle in 2018 and has refereed the Leinster championship every year since, including the most recent semi-final clash

between Dublin and Kilkenny in October 2020.

Mr Murphy’s most recent game was the quarter-final between Galway and Tipperary in the senior hurling championship in November 2020 at the LIT Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.

'WE'RE VERY PROUD OF HIM'

Ballylanders GAA Club are very proud of their clubman’s quick ascent to the top level. Currently, Johnny trains the underage teams at the grounds in south east Limerick.

Joe Daly, chairman of Ballylanders GAA, spoke to The Avondhu about the good news for

the club.

“We’re very proud of Johnny. It’s not long since he retired playing football with us, and he’s risen to the top very quickly. He’s very involved with the underagers here - we see him 2 or 3 nights a week. He’s doing very well and of course we’re very proud of him.”

Johnny’s first game of the season will be the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship semi-final clash between Galway and Dublin this weekend. The match will take place at the MW Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise on Saturday - we wish him well.

Ballylanders officials at Semple Stadium, Thurles for the AIB Munster Senior Hurling Club final in 2016 between Ballyea (Clare) and Glen Rovers (Cork), including referee Johnny Murphy, who will officiate in the 2021 championship; also pictured are l-r: James Hickey, Mike Meade, Kieran O’Callaghan and Jimmy Barry Murphy. (Pic: George Hatchell)