Wicklow GAA are mourning the loss of a true Garden County legend after the passing of Jimmy Hatton.

The Kilcoole clubman had the distinction of refereeing 11 All-Ireland Finals, including five senior finals.

Not only that, he referreed both codes, including three senior hurling finals and two senior football finals.

In 1966 he had the distinction of refereeing three All-Ireland Finals in the one year – the All-Ireland senior football final between Meath and Galway, the All-Ireland minor hurling final between Kilkenny and Cork, and the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Final replay between Wexford and Cork.

He also refereed the first ever All-Ireland Club Football Final between East Kerry and Bryansford in 1971.

A talented footballer and hurler himself in his own playing days, he won a Wicklow Senior Football Championship in 1954 with Kilcoole, an O’Byrne Cup with Wicklow in 1957, and a Leinster Junior Hurling Championship with Wicklow in 1964.

He was a team selector when Wicklow won the Leinster Junior Football Championship in 1969 and when the Wicklow hurlers won Division 2 of the Hurling League in 1976.

He was also a dedicated club volunteer with Kilcoole throughout his life.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Jimmy Hatton’s contribution to the GAA’s Oral History Project can be listened to here - https://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/oral-history/jimmy-hatton-and-jimmy-gammell/