*Jarlath Donnellan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
JARLATH DONNELLAN is to take charge of his first Clare SHC final this weekend.
Wolfe Tones clubman Donnellan will be the man in the middle for the novel final pairing of Ballyea and Éire Óg in Cusack Park this coming Sunday which commences at 3pm.
A dual-referee, Donnellan has taken charge of county finals at underage level while also refereeing semi-finals at the senior grade in the county. The Shannon man is on the provincial panel for hurling referees and has been a referee locally for over seven years.
Though on duty for last year’s county final between Ballyea and Inagh/Kilnamona, Jarlath was linesman to Johnny Healy of Smith O’Briens. His solid performances throughout this year’s Clare SHC and his continued rise through the ranks at provincial level have seen him rewarded with the honour of refereeing the county final.
Donnellan refereed Ballyea’s third round win over Clarecastle and their quarter-final tie against Clooney/Quin while he has not officiated any of Éire Óg’s games in this year’s race for the Canon Hamilton.
Sixmilebridge’s Kevin Corry is to referee the Clare IHC final between St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Tulla on Saturday at 3pm. A referee since 2018, Corry has officiated games at all levels in adult and juvenile, this year he was tasked with games in the senior championship on a frequent basis having previously done finals at Senior B and Minor grades.
Although he has been the whistler for games in the penultimate stage of the intermediate championship, Saturday’s encounter will be the first time that the popular postman is in charge of an intermediate final.
