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*Niall Malone. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
ÉIRE Óg’s Niall Malone will take charge of the Clare SHC final for the third time when he officiates the meeting of Inagh/Kilnamona and Kilmaley.
Fresh from tying the knot to his beloved Gráinne, Niall turns his attention back to refereeing matters when he handles the eagerly awaited meeting of the neighbours Inagh/Kilnamona and Kilmaley to determine who lifts the Canon Hamilton.
Ennis native Niall will be joined by standby referee John Bugler, linesman Chris Maguire and fourth official Niall Donovan along with his team of umpires, Conor Malone, Philip Walsh, Jack Walsh and Ethan O’Rourke.
Previous senior finals officiated by Niall include the 2019 victory for Sixmilebridge over Cratloe (0-21 0-15) and Clonlara’s 3-18 2-16 win against Crusheen in 2023.
Holding the whistle since 2012, Niall’s other big appointments include the Division 2 National Hurling League final between Laois and Kerry this season, two Munster U20 hurling finals (2022 and 2024), an All-Ireland U21B final and a Munster intermediate club decider. He was fourth official for this year’s All-Ireland SHC final when Limerick defeated Galway.
For the past three seasons, Malone has been part of the national referee’s panel. He joined the referee’s provincial panel in 2021 and the Munster Development Panel the year previous.
“It’s a massive honour to be given the responsibility to referee any final in Clare GAA. You put in so much time and effort so it’s great to get rewarded for all the time and sacrifices you make. I have great support behind me from my wife Grainne, my son Tom, my family, my friends and my club,” he said.
