IN a major personal appointment, Shane Hynes will referee the Easter Sunday National Hurling League Final between Limerick and Cork at the Gaelic Grounds.
The Galway man officiated in Limerick’s snug home win against Kilkenny at the same venue earlier in the competition.
This outing represents a significant achievement in the fledgling career of Hynes, who is also likely to be involved for the first time in officiating in some of the Munster Senior Championship fixtures.
Last year, he was in charge of the All-Ireland Under-20 Hurling Final between Tipperary and Kilkenny, won by the former at Nowlan Park.
The winners were captained by Sam O’Farrell (Nenagh Éire Óg), whose dad Paul, along with uncles Nicky and Noel, all hurled with note for the current Limerick senior champions Na Piarsaigh.
Thomas Walsh (Waterford) will referee the curtain-raiser (Division 1B Final) between Clare and Dublin.
Meanwhile, Barry Hayes (St Senan’s) was the coach/selector with Carlow, weekend winners of Division Four in the National Football League at Croke Park.
In a thrilling final, Carlow overcame Longford after extra-time, 1-24 to 2-18.
It was the county’s first such silverware since a Leinster Championship triumph way back in 1944.
Last autumn, Hayes completed a unique double when he managed the Old Leighlin team to a 2-7 to 2-5 victory in the Carlow Senior Ladies Football Championship and led Baltinglass to beat Carnew Emmets by 1-20 to 0-15 in the Wicklow Senior Men’s Football Championship, both on the same weekend.
The Shanagolden native has been attached to Old Leighlin since to Carlow over 20 years ago.
In his day, Hayes was a decent footballer with St Senan’s.