Knights of the Whistle: Jimmy Hatton

Jimmy Hatton (born 1934) is a former hurler, football player, and referee.

He played both hurling and football for Kilcoole, winning the senior football championship in 1954, and with Wicklow, winning the O’Byrne Cup in 1957, and the Leinster Championship with the Wicklow junior hurling team in 1964.

As befitting a sportsman who played both sports, in 1966 he became one of the few referees to officiate in both the hurling and football All-Ireland senior finals in the same year. He also refereed the 1963 and 1970 All-Ireland senior hurling finals, and 1964 All-Ireland senior football final[1].

In 2005, he was inducted into the Referees Hall of Fame[2], and in 2009, he was inducted into the Wicklow Hall of Fame[3].

One of Jimmy’s whistles is on display in Lár na Páirce’s “Knights of the Whistle” display. Further information can be found at Wikipedia.