The GAA has confirmed the referees and match officials for the 2019 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship and Electric Ireland Minor Championship finals on August 18, with James Owens confirmed as the referee for the senior final, while Patrick Murphy from Carlow will officiate in the Minor game between Galway and Kilkenny.

The Wexford man will take charge of the All-Ireland Senior final between Kilkenny and Tipperary in what will be his third decider at senior level, having previously refereed the 2018 final between Limerick and Galway and the 2015 meeting of Kilkenny and Galway.

A member of the Askamore club, Owens has also refereed the All-Ireland Minor Final in 2007, All-Ireland U-21 final in 2008 and the AIB All-Ireland Senior Club final 2015.

In this year’s Hurling Championship, Owens officiated the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final between Cork and Kilkenny and two Munster championship games, Clare v Limerick and Waterford v Clare.

His umpires on the day will be James Dunbar and David Owens (both Askamore), Joe Kelly (Naomh Éanna) and Ian Plunkett (Marshalstown).

Carlow’s Paud O Dwyer will be the standby referee. The other linesman is Johnny Murphy (Limerick) and the Sideline Official will be Liam Gordon (Galway).

Patrick Murphy, who will be officiating the Minor final, is a member of the Ballinkillen club.

In this year’s Senior Hurling Championship, Patrick has refereed the preliminary quarter-final meeting of Westmeath and Cork, and the Joe McDonagh Cup Final between Laois and Westmeath.

His umpires on the day will be Paddy Murphy (snr) PJ Farrell, Francie Dowling and Jason Curran (all Ballinkillen).

Tipperary’s Fergal Horgan will be the standby referee, the other linesman is Johnny Ryan (Tipperary) and the Sideline Official will be Thomas Walsh (Waterford).