Cuala Men in the Middle on Top of their Game

We’ve managed to bring you stories of many historic teams over the years but Cartlann Digiteach Cuala has so far missed a vital element in what makes our games so successful – the match officials. So we were delighted that Fintan Quill made contact to remind us that Cuala has a great tradition of referees particularly in the 1980s when Cuala members officiated at no less than 3 All Ireland Senior Hurling Finals in the space of 6 years. Not many clubs can claim such a distinction.

Noel O’Donoghue was the man with the whistle in 1980 (Joe Cooney’s Galway beat Sean Foley’s Limerick 2:15 to 3:09) and again in 1982 (Brian Cody’s Kilkenny saw-off Jimmy Barry Murphy’s Cork 3:18 to 1:13). Noel was supported by 4 Cuala clubmates as umpires in these fixtures – Proinsias O’Maoláin (1980 & 1982), Frank McHugh (1980 & 1982), Sean Moran (1982) & John Bailey (1980). He was remembered in 2022 as being among Five of the Best Referees by the Irish Independent and went on to serve in many positions overseeing Match officials and Hawkeye

John Bailey refereed the 1986 Hurling Final (Tom Cashman’s Cork overcame Noel Lane’s Limerick 4:13 to 2:15) and had a team of 4 Cuala umpires – Jimmy Doyle, Austin Duffy, Frank McHugh and Dominic Byrne. John brought the Cuala crest to even higher office when he twice served as Dublin County Chairman, 1993 – 1998 and 2001 – 2006. During his first tenure he was centrally involved in the re-development of Parnell Park.

The next top whistleblower could be you. Coiste na Réiteoirí are running a new referee course in the New Year to qualify participants to referee at adult football and/or hurling

Cuala Men in the Middle on Top of their Game

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