Barry Kelly

Life and work

The story behind the role.

Irish hurling referee.

Barry Kelly (born 1970) is an Irish hurling referee. Born in Mullingar, County Westmeath, he went on to become one of the top referees in his sport and has officiated at several All-Ireland finals in minor, under-21 and senior levels. He is a member of the St Oliver Plunkett's club in Mullingar. He is an English, History and CSPE teacher at St Finian's College in Mullingar. Kelly has refereed four All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Finals - 2006, 2008, 2012, and 2014. He has twin sons, Manus and Theo. His wife Catherine died after a brief illness at St. James's Hospital in 2013.

Encyclopaedic excerpts from Barry Kelly (referee); shortened for length and available under CC BY-SA 4.0.