This afternoon’s Down senior football championship final between Burren and Kilcoo went ahead as scheduled after some major referee drama.

Paul Faloon had been down to take charge of the Pairc Esler decider, but Kilcoo launched an objection against his appointment to the County Hearings Committee (CHC).

Despite both the CHC and Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) rejecting the defending champions’ case, Faloon withdrew his services and a report from The Irish News this morning said that Down county board had secured Meath’s David Gough for the final.

It is believed that Gough, a colleague of Faloon’s on the National Referee’s panel, also withdrew from the game after consideration.

Brian Higgins from the Annaclone club, who was originally the stand-in referee for the final, took the whistle ahead of the Newry clash which threw in at 2.15pm.

It’s understood that hundreds of fans stood outside the gates of Pairc Esler about an hour before throw-in, with Down officials not opening the venue’s gates until a referee was confirmed.

Speaking on GAA Beo ahead of the decider, former Clare midfielder Gary Brennan described the whole ordeal as "very strange". 

"I've never heard of an appeal going in before a game to change the referee," he said. "It has to be very strange for Brian Higgins, because it is a big thing to referee a county final."

Ex-Tyrone player Mark Harte also added: "It's a big pity. Embarrassing for the county board and for the Down football public. It's not a good look.

"This should be a proud day for Paul. It's a big pity."

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