Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

7 June 2025; Cork manager Pat Ryan and Limerick manager John Kiely alongside referee Thomas Walsh after the half-time whistle during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo

Kelly: Munster final required a tighter rein early on

Four-time All-Ireland hurling final referee Barry Kelly believes that Saturday's thrilling Munster final between victors Cork and Limerick required a firmer early touch to clamp down on some of the niggly scenes that accompanied the action at the Gaelic Grounds.

Hurling • 10 Jun

Cork halt Limerick again as Kilkenny plough on

Shane McGrath and Barry Kelly join Jacqui Hurley and Rory O'Neill to reflect on Cork bringing Limerick's run in Munster to an end, a Leinster final didn't live up to the hype and Kildare's run to Joe McDonagh Cup glory.

Hurling • 09 Jun

RTÉ GAA Pod: Derry setting the pace, hurling returns

Ryan McCluskey, Shane McGrath and Barry Kelly join Rory O'Neill on RTÉ's GAA Podcast to discuss Derry's bright start to 2024, as well as the hurling league having more bite this spring

Football • 06 Feb 24

Waterford's Neil Montgomery gets a handpass away against Tipperary last year

GAA likely to clamp down on 'endemic' handpass foul

Hurling referees are likely to be warned by Croke Park officials to clamp down on handpass fouls, which have become endemic in the game, according to referee Barry Kelly.

GAA • 13 Feb 23

Barry Kelly refereed four All-Ireland hurling finals

Nationwide ref withdrawal would 'focus minds' - Kelly

Former inter-county referee Barry Kelly believes a nationwide withdrawal of services by refs could help to 'focus the minds' in relation to discipline and respect for officials in the GAA.

GAA • 08 Sep 22

Ex-ref Barry Kelly: GAA must tighten appeals loopholes

Barry Kelly, a four-time All-Ireland hurling final referee, has said the GAA must revisit their who disciplinary system to avoid "loopholes" being exploited in the appeals process.

GAA • 17 Jun 22

Barry Kelly has expressed frustration at the current system

Former ref Kelly calls for end to GAA's appeal culture

Four-time All-Ireland hurling final referee Barry Kelly says that the culture of counties overturning red cards and suspensions needs to be culled, claiming it would take a shooting on the pitch in some cases for a ban to be maintained.

GAA • 11 May 22

'It probably is only a matter of time before there's a second referee'

Barry Kelly: Matter of time before second ref needed

Former inter-county hurling referee Barry Kelly suggests it's only a matter of time before a second referee is introduced for top level hurling and argued that score-keeping could be taken out of the refs' hands.

GAA • 11 Feb 20

What it's really like to referee a Kilkenny-Tipp final

James Owens is the man in the middle this weekend and according to those that have gone before him it might prove an enjoyable afternoon.

GAA • 16 Aug 19

Barry Kelly