Wexford’s James Owens to referee All-Ireland hurling final

Wexford's James Owens will referee his first senior All-Ireland final when he takes charge of Kilkenny and Galway in next month's final.

From the Askamore club, Owens has previously officiated in minor (2007) and under-21 (2008) All-Ireland finals, between Cork and Tipperary and Kilkenny and Tipperary, respectively.

He also took charge of this year's Munster final between Waterford and Tipperary as well as All-Ireland semi-finals in the past two years.

Johnny Ryan from Tipperary will be the standby referee and Westmeath's James McGrath is the other linesman. The sideline official will be Owen Elliott from Antrim.

The minor final between Tipperary and Galway will be refereed by Paud O’Dwyer from Carlow.