Waterford referee Thomas Walsh will handle Sunday's much anticipated All-Ireland Senior hurling semi-final between Limerick and Galway in Croke Park (3:30pm throw-in).
It's a massive appointment for the Modeligo man in what'll be his first senior semi-final. Back in May, "Tyler" oversaw the All-Ireland Under-20 hurling Final between Kilkenny and Limerick and Thurles, a game that acted as a curtain raiser to the Cork Vs. Tipperary clash in the final round of the Munster SHC.
Thomas also took charge of Wexford and Galway in the opening round of the Leinster SHC back in April along with the clash of Dublin and Kilkenny in Parnell Park (in May), this is another step on the ladder for the Déise whistler who has been making steady progress over the last number of years on the National panel.
His linesmen on Sunday afternoon will be James Owens from Wexford (who is also the Stand-By referee), and Seán Stack from Dublin. Colum Cunning of Antrim is the sideline official.
The four umpires are all from Waterford including his own father, Paddy Walsh along with Gerry Tobin, Tony O' Donnell and Derek Kelly.
Speaking to WLR Sport, Thomas is looking forward to what's set to be a huge occasion at GAA HQ; "An All-Ireland semi-final - they don't come around much easy, in one sense Waterford being knocked out early kind of helped me a small bit. I'm totally thrilled, delighted, just can't wait now to Sunday so fingers crossed all goes well".
You can hear more from Thomas Walsh on Friday evening's "Lár Na Páirce" show from 6:10pm.
Meanwhile, Tipperary's Fergal Horgan will be the man in the middle for the opening semi on Saturday evening where Clare take on Leinster champions Kilkenny in Croker with that one underway at 5:30pm.
Here's wishing Thomas and his team of officials all the very best in Croke Park on Sunday afternoon!
The referees have been named for this weekend's All-Ireland SHC semi-finals and Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Hurling Final. #GAABelong
— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 27, 2022
