Diarmuid Kirwan Explained

Diarmuid Kirwan is an Irish hurling referee. A native of Ballyskenagh, County Offaly he lives in Ovens, County Cork where he played hurling with the local Éire Óg club.

His father, Gerry, also refereed an All-Ireland final and when the son was appointed they became the first father and son duo to have.^[1]

Just after throwing the ball in at the beginning of the second half of the 2015 Leinster SHC semi-final between Kilkenny and Wexford, the hurley of Michael Fennelly struck Kirwan and knocked him to the ground.^[2]

In the 2016 National Hurling League final, Kirwan controversially decided not to award Waterford a free in injury-time in a defeat to Clare.^{[3] [4] [5]}

References

• Donegan, Des, The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games (DBA Publications Limited, 2005).

Notes and References

1. News: Diarmuid Kirwan on the highs and lows of refereeing across four decades: Offaly native settled in Éire Óg and has been in the middle at every level since the 1990s. EchoLIVE.ie. John. Coughlan. 9 March 2021.
2. News: Referee Diarmuid Kirwan paid for getting a little too close to action this afternoon. The42.ie. Steve. O'Rourke. 21 June 2015.
3. News: John Mullane: Disgraceful referee decision cost Déise victory. RTÉ. 9 May 2016.
4. News: Dan Shanahan: Diarmuid Kirwan's no free call 'tough to take'. Irish Examiner. John. Fogarty. 9 May 2016.
5. News: Derek McGrath moves on from Diarmuid Kirwan’s late controversial free decision. Irish Examiner. Michael. Moynihan. 10 May 2016.