For the second year running, James Owens will be the man in the middle for the All-Ireland hurling final between Kilkenny and Tipperary after the GAA confirmed the officials for both the senior and minor deciders.
Owens from Wexford, also refereed the 2015 final. In this year's championship, the Kilrush-native officiated at the Cork-Kilkenny All-Ireland quarter-final and two Munster round-robin games involving Clare-Limerick and Waterford-Clare.
Owens' umpires on the day will be James Dunbar and David Owens (both Askamore), Joe Kelly (Naomh Éanna) and Ian Plunkett (Marshalstown).
Carlow's Paud O’Dwyer will be the standby referee. The other linesman is Johnny Murphy (Limerick) and the sideline official will be Liam Gordon (Galway).
Patrick Murphy from Carlow will ref the minor final between Galway and Kilkenny.
His umpires on the day will be Paddy Murphy (Snr) PJ Farrell, Francie Dowling and Jason Curran (all Ballinkillen).
Tipperary’s Fergal Horgan will be the standby referee, the other linesman will be Johnny Ryan (Tipperary) and the sideline official will be Thomas Walsh (Waterford).
