Death of former All-Ireland winner who refereed controversial All Ireland semi-final

The death has occurred of former All-Ireland winning hurler Jimmy Cooney, the referee who finished the All-Ireland semi-final between Offaly and Clare two minutes early, resulting in a replay which Offaly won. 

Mr Cooney, who was 68, was a skilled hurler, and as left corner-back, he helped secure the 1980 All-Ireland hurling title with a victory over Limerick, Galway's first win in 57 years.

An All-Star in 1980 and 1981, Cooney started the following year’s final when Offaly beat Galway, with the famous Johnny Flaherty goal. His last senior inter-county game came in the defeat against Kilkenny in the 1983 All-Ireland semi-final.

He was a decorated club hurler, winning three senior county medals with Sarsfields. He was a substitute when they won the All-Ireland title in 1993.

As a referee, Jimmy Cooney officiated at the highest level but was infamously known for blowing the final whistle two minutes short of regulation 70 minutes during the Offaly versus Clare 1998 All-Ireland semi-final replay. The sides had drawn their first meeting and would go on to meet for a third time that year in the championship. 

There were also a number of minutes of injury time to be played in that replay at Croke Park and the premature ending of the game caused consternation. Before Cooney could rectify his mistake, he was ushered off the field. 

This sparked mayhem, with Offaly fans holding a sit-down protest on the Croke Park pitch. 

Clare were leading in the closing minutes of the game and looked favourites to reach the final. However, a reply was decided on, as the game had not reached regulation time and Offaly went on to clinch a famous victory in Semple Stadium.

The Faithful County then became the first time to win an All-Ireland final, having come through the new back door system which allowed beaten provincial finalists compete in the quarter-finals.