Meet the Referees: County Football Finals, Sunday 25 October
Niall Hayes (Carbery Rangers) and David Murnane (Macroom) will referee Sunday’s McCarthy Insurance Group county football finals at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Niall takes charge of the Premier Junior final between Cobh and Canovee at 2pm, and David the Premier Senior final between Nemo Rangers and St Finbarr’s at 4pm.
Both bring experience of big days, and each will be supported by a full team of linesmen, umpires and a fourth official.
Premier Junior Football Final, 2pm: Niall Hayes (Carbery Rangers)
Cobh v Canovee
Niall Hayes started refereeing in 2021 and has taken charge of games across Carbery, Rebel Óg West and the County Board since then.
His highlights so far include this year’s Rebel Óg Premier 1 Minor Football final, the 2025 County Junior B final and several Rebel Óg West finals in recent years. He is quick to credit the officials alongside him: none of it, he says, would be possible without them.
| Role | Official |
|---|---|
| Referee | Niall Hayes (Carbery Rangers) |
| Linesmen | James Kingston and Liam O’Shea (both Carbery Rangers) |
| 4th official | Peter O’Leary (Castletownbere) |
| Umpires | Finbarr Hayes, John O’Donoghue and Adrian Roycroft (all Carbery Rangers), Neilus Harold (Clyda Rovers) |
Premier Senior Football Final, 4pm: David Murnane (Macroom)
Nemo Rangers v St Finbarr’s
David Murnane began refereeing in 2006, when his division needed more referees. Twenty years on, he has one of the strongest CVs in the county.
Sunday will be his third Premier Senior final, after 2018 and 2021. He has also refereed:
- Premier Intermediate finals in 2014, 2017 and 2020
- an All-Ireland U20 semi-final in 2021
- the All-Ireland Junior final in 2023
- a Tailteann Cup semi-final in 2025
David is grateful to everyone who has helped him over the years as an umpire, linesman and in other officiating roles. He calls refereeing a very fulfilling role where you meet great characters, and urges anyone interested to give it a go.
| Role | Official |
|---|---|
| Referee | David Murnane (Macroom) |
| Linesmen | John Ryan (Macroom), James Regan (Lough Rovers) |
| Sideline / 4th official | Shane Scanlon (Newcestown) |
| Umpires | Michael O’Brien (Macroom), Pat O’Leary (Kilmurry), Tim McCarthy (Clondrohid), Darren Feury (Cill na Martra) |
Watch and attend
Both finals are live on Clubber TV. Premium Level opens at 12:30pm, and the South Stand Lower and North Stand open at 1:00pm. Tickets (Adult €25, Student / OAP €20, U16s free) are on sale at gaacork.ie/tickets and in select SuperValu and Centra stores.
