THE REFEREE

ON such a big occasion like this, you’d wish referee Fergal Horgan luck. It’s been a controversial year in terms of discipline and he has been involved in a bit of controversy himself. Waterford supporters weren’t happy with the disputed penalty awarded to Cork that won the Munster Under-21 final and then he issued a straight red card to Tadhg de Búrca in the senior quarter-final, though it was at the behest of a sideline colleague. A past player with Tipperary, he’s the first Munster man to take charge of a final since 2010.

His interpretation of the tackle will be vital, especially around the middle third which is so congested in the modern game. Let’s hope he’s not one of the talking points afterwards.