Jimmy Rankins (died 2001), Laois, was a referee.

Rankins was a co-founding member, in 1953, of Ratheniska Hurling Club, and its first treasurer.^[1] He played on the team that won the club’s first title, the 1959 Junior championship, and was vice-president of the club until the end of his life.

Rankins is best remembered as a referee, and refereed the 1978 All-Ireland hurling final, and toured San Francisco and Los Angeles in 1976 with the All Star Team.

One of Jimmy’s whistles is on display in Lár na Páirce, in the “Knights of the Whistle” exhibit.