Noel O’Donoghue (Dublin) 1939-

Noel O’Donoghue refereed the All-Ireland senior hurling final of 1980 between Galway and Limerick. The previous year he was in charge of the minor final.He also refereed the 1981 All-Ireland semi-final and reply between Limerick and Galway, sending off three players in the drawn game. In 1982 he refereed the All-Ireland hurling final between Kilkenny and Cork on a day when Brian Cody and Jimmy Barry-Murphy were captains of the respective teams

A member of the Cuala Club in Dublin he served on the National Coaching Council, the National Referees Advisory Council as well as the Dublin and Leinster Referees Administrative Councils.

Among his other refereeing achievements were being in charge of the 1980 National League final and replay between Cork and Limerick, the 1980 Leinster final, the 1979 Railway Cup final, the 1978 All-Ireland under-21 hurling final and replay between Galway and Limerick.

In 1977 he officiated at the All-Ireland Club hurling final between St. Finbarr’s and Rathnure and he also refereed numerous Leinster senior championship games, National Hurling League games, Oireachtas, Keogh and Walshe Cup games as well as county finals in both codes.

Two other highlights during 1980 were being in charge of the All-Ireland Colleges hurling semi-final between Birr Community College and St. Joseph’s,Galbally as well as the All-Ireland Colleges football final in which Carmelite College, Moate defeated St. Patrick’s Maghera.

Noel is still involved in refereeing administration.