IN WHAT was an extraordinary turn of events, Brian Higgins ended up as the man in the middle for today's Down SFC final.
Meath referee David Gough had been drafted in as a dramatic late replacement for the decider between Kilcoo and Burren, in the wake of the Magpies’ objection to the appointment of Paul Faloon as the man in black. However, with Gough himself later withdrawing, it was left to Annaclone man Higgins, who was originally listed as the stand-by referee, to step in and save the game from postponement.
The reigning champions initially lodged an internal appeal to the county hearings committee against Faloon's appointment. When that was rejected, it was brought to Croke Park’s Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).
Amid speculation the final could be facing a week’s delay, the DRA rejected Kilcoo’s appeal on Saturday morning. However, events escalated in the time between, with Gough instead selected to take charge of today’s decider at Páirc Esler before he himself had second thoughts.
Meanwhile, on the playing front, Kilcoo were unsuccessful in their appeal against the red card shown to defender Niall Branagan in the semi-final win over Clonduff. As a result, he misses today’s final against the St Mary’s.
The Magpies are bidding to land an 11th Down crown in 12 years, with Burren the side who interrupted that run by lifting the Frank O’Hare Cup in 2018.
