GAA to conduct review into Down SFC referee controversy

The GAA is set to investigate the events surrounding the referring fiasco that engulfed last week's Down SFC final between Kilcoo and Burren.

The Magpies, All-Ireland champions in 2022, won comfortably in Newry, but the game was overshadowed by a series of events that ultimately needed a third referee appointment for the game to go ahead.

Down GAA have made a request to the GAA’s director general Tom Ryan for the GAA to conduct an independent review, with the association accepting.

It follows Monday’s statement from Down GAA in which they criticised Kilcoo for their "entirely baseless" decision to appeal the appointment of Paul Faloon firstly at county level and then with the DRA, both of which proved unsuccessful.

Despite the DRA rejecting Kilcoo’s call for "interim relief" last Saturday morning, later that day it became apparent that Faloon was no longer set to officiate, reportedly after a number of his set conditions could not be met, with Meath referee David Gough asked to assemble an officiating team.

Hours before throw-in on Sunday, RTÉ Sport learned that Gough was no longer intending to travel to Newry putting the final in real doubt.

The Down County Board were ultimately able to stage the final after Annaclone referee Higgins stepped in.

The fall-out continues to rumble on with suggestions that Down referees are contemplating strike action.

Watch Dingle v Mid Kerry in the Kerry Club Championship semi-finals on Saturday from 5.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player