Brian Gavin (born 13 July 1977) is an Irish hurling referee.
Career
editA native of Clara, County Offaly, Gavin is one of the sport's top referees and officiated at All-Ireland finals in minor, under-21, and the senior final in 2011.[1][2][3]
In 2013, he took charge of his second senior final after previously taken charge of the 2011 Final, and also the All-Ireland championship final at minor level in 2004 and under-21 level in 2006.[4][5] His performance in the 2013 Final was a source of controversy as he played over the time added on thus allowing Clare to score a point to draw the game.
During the 2011 All-Ireland Senior Final, Gavin was accidentally hit by the swinging Hurley of Kilkenny's Tommy Walsh and sustained a nose injury.[6]
Gavin was named as the referee for the 2014 All-Ireland Final replay on 10 September.[7]
Gavin was also named as the referee for the 2016 All-Ireland Final.[8]
In January 2018, Gavin announced his retirement from inter-county refereeing.[9]
Brian Gavin was involved in a number of other incidents during his career. In the 2006 All Ireland Hurling Semi Final between Cork and Waterford he awarded Waterford a very controversial free in the 72 second minute which if scored would have drawn the game. In 2007 in the All Ireland Quarter Final between the same counties he awarded Waterford a penalty in the last minute when he adjudged Cork goalkeeper Donal Óg Cusack to be lying on the sliotar. Replays showed he was clearly pushed by the defender. In 2015 Gavin himself was sent off during a club game in Offaly. His suspension was overturned on appeal which was followed by the resignation of the referee who had issued the red card.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ "Offaly's Gavin to ref hurling decider". RTÉ Sport. 16 August 2011. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
- ^ "Gavin to referee All-Ireland SHC final". Irish Examiner. 16 August 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
- ^ "Curley hails brave display by ref Gavin". Irish Examiner. 5 September 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ^ "Brian Gavin appointed as All-Ireland senior hurling final referee". The Score. 27 August 2013. Archived from the original on 1 September 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ^ "Offaly's Brian Gavin to take charge of All-Ireland hurling decider". Westmeath Independent. 26 August 2013. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ^ "Kilkenny's Tommy Walsh bursts ref with hurley". Joe.ie. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ^ "Offaly's Brian Gavin to ref All-Ireland hurling replay between Kilkenny and Tipperary". Irish Independent. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
- ^ "A familiar face will referee the All-Ireland hurling final between Kilkenny and Tipperary". The 42. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
- ^ "Four-time All-Ireland hurling final referee Brian Gavin hangs up his whistle". The 42. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.