Fans disagree on the refereeing style in epic Munster SHC final

Colman Stanley

What a game!

Cork were the victors in their epic Munster SHC final against Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday afternoon.

The Rebels were tied at 2-27 to 1-30 with the Treaty at the end of extra-time, before winning 3-2 on penalties.

The unanimous view was it that it was a classic that will go down as one of the greatest Munster finals in history.

However, there was controversy surrounding the refereeing of the game by Thomas Walsh.

Some felt that he let the concept of ‘letting the game flow’ go too far, with defenders hounding and bashing their opponents with no punishment on a handful of occasions.

Many also thought that the officiating was favoured towards Limerick.

On the other hand, some supporters liked the officiating and relentless nature of the match.

Live footage of the referee in Limerick: pic.twitter.com/6kxsFXtlPB
— Jamie Kennedy (@jamieurt) June 7, 2025

Horrible ref gifts Limerick a goal. #MunsterFinal
— ADAM O' DRISCOLL 🇮🇪 (@adamodriscoll) June 7, 2025

Ref in cork game an utter disgrace, no interest in policing Limerick fouls, clear manhandling and fouling waved away.

Cork should be 7 or 8 clear – Horgan accuracy a worry, too many wides and not accurate enough on puck outs.

Collins poor for goal but redeemed later
— Rory Murphy (@Rory_Tealeaf) June 7, 2025

Ref is actually been fair enough. He's letting things go on both sides.
— Brian Timmons (@BrianTimmytron6) June 7, 2025

Cork inside line being fouled consistently before bal and on the ball, 3rd man tackls. Ref job is to apply rules not let the game flow. https://t.co/kdiaM7KNUa
— Donach O'Donnell (@DonachODonnell) June 7, 2025

Would you have a preferred a horgan and Gillane free taking contest
— Paddy Kenny (@paddykenny2009) June 8, 2025

Ref is actually been fair enough. He's letting things go on both sides.
— Brian Timmons (@BrianTimmytron6) June 7, 2025

Spot on. The game is crying out for this type of referees.
— Louis Clarke (@LouisClarke3) June 8, 2025

Teams

Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Seán Finn, Dan Morrissey, Mike Casey; Diarmaid Byrnes (0-1f), Kyle Hayes, Barry Nash; Adam English (0-03), Will O’Donoghue; Gearóid Hegarty (0-02), Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey (0-02); Aaron Gillane (0-09, 7fs), Aidan O’Connor (1-01), David Reidy (0-03).

Subs: Shane O’Brien (1-02) for O’Connor (42), Peter Casey (0-01) for Reidy (55), Cathal O’Neill (0-01) for T Morrissey (55), Darragh O’Donovan (0-01) for O’Donoghue (65), Declan Hannon (0-01) for Byrnes (70), Barry Murphy for M Casey (70), Seamus Flanagan (Blood sub for Lynch).

Cork: Patrick Collins; Damien Cahalane (0-01), Eoin Downey (0-01), Seán O’Donoghue; Cormac O’Brien, Ciarán Joyce, Mark Coleman; Tim O’Mahony (0-01), Darragh Fitzgibbon (0-04, 1f, 1 65); Diarmuid Healy (0-03), Shane Barrett (1-03), Seamus Harnedy (0-02); Patrick Horgan (0-07, 4fs), Alan Connolly (0-01), Brian Hayes (0-01).

Subs: Rob Downey for O’Brien (54), Tommy O’Connell (0-01) for O’Mahony (59), Shane Kingston (0-03) for Connolly (65), Robbie O’Flynn for Harnedy (68), Niall O’Leary for O’Donoghue (72), Conor Lehane (0-02) for Horgan (73), Brian Roche for Healy (80).

Referees: Thomas Walsh (Waterford) and James Owens (Wexford)