Westmeath’s Kelly on how refereeing helped him cope with griefPrevious Next Image 1 of 3 Kilkenny’s Henry Shefflin, left, takes off his helmet after referee Barry Kelly had issued him a red card (second yellow) during the 2013 All-Ireland hurling quarter-final against Cork at Semple Stadium, Thurles. Photo: Ray McManus/SPORTSFILE Image 2 of 3 Westmeath referee and GAA stalwart Barry Kelly pictured at TEG Cusack Park. Image 3 of 3 Westmeath's Barry Kelly, who has refereed four All-Ireland senior hurling finals. And in September 2014, when he awarded a late free to Tipperary in their drawn All-Ireland final against Kilkenny. It has been transformed and from a refereeing perspective, it’s brilliant.”Life also became brilliant again for Barry Kelly.

Source: Irish Independent January 11, 2026 20:33 UTC