The GAA has confirmed that experienced Cork referee Colm Lyons will take charge of the 2026 GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final between Galway and Limerick at Croke Park on Sunday.
It will mark a significant milestone in Lyons’ refereeing career as he prepares to officiate his second All-Ireland senior decider, having previously overseen the 2022 final between Limerick and Kilkenny.
He was most recently seen by Galway fans when he officiated in the Pearse Stadium defeat by Dublin in the Leinster Championship.
A member of Nemo Rangers GAA Club, Lyons has established himself as one of the game’s most respected officials over the past decade. Since making his Liam MacCarthy Championship debut in 2012, he has consistently handled some of the biggest occasions in the hurling calendar.
Sunday’s showpiece will be his 39th senior championship match at the highest level, reflecting both his experience and the confidence placed in him by the GAA’s National Referees Committee.
Lyons’ impressive refereeing résumé includes the 2012 All-Ireland Minor Final, the National Hurling League Final and Leinster Senior Hurling Final in 2017, the All-Ireland Senior Club Finals of 2018 and 2020, and the Munster Senior Hurling Final in 2024.
His appointment to another All-Ireland final is recognition of the consistency, composure and authority he has displayed throughout his career.
During this year’s championship, the Cork official has already taken charge of several high-profile encounters.
He refereed the Munster Championship clash between Limerick and Tipperary before overseeing Galway’s Leinster Championship victories over Dublin and Kilkenny.
Those performances further reinforced his standing as one of the country’s leading referees ahead of the season’s biggest fixture.
Lyons will be supported by an experienced officiating team on All-Ireland final day. His score umpires will be Ciarán Hanley of Brian Dillons, Jim McEvoy of Blarney, and Nemo Rangers duo Philip Mackey and Finian Mullane.
The line umpires will be Wexford’s James Owens and Dublin’s Chris Mooney, with Owens also serving as standby referee.
Clare’s Niall Malone has been appointed as sideline official, while Tipperary’s David Grogan will fulfil the role of Hawkeye official.
With Galway and Limerick preparing to battle for the Liam MacCarthy Cup in one of the most eagerly anticipated finals in recent years, the appointment of Colm Lyons ensures the biggest game in the hurling calendar will be overseen by an official whose experience, calmness and proven ability make him an ideal choice for the occasion.
