The Tooreen native has officiated in over 50 hurling games already this year between club, colleges, Fitzgibbon Cup and intercounty ties. After seven years on the referees intercounty panel, Judge officiated in seven Allianz Hurling League ties this year before refereeing his first Intercounty championship game in the Lory Meagher Cup.  He subsequently went on to referee four Nickey Rackard Cup ties this season, the most recent being the Tyrone-Donegal tie in Carrickmore last weekend. His officiating exploits also brought him a first Leinster Senior Hurling Championship work-out, as he acted as fourth official in the recent Galway-Kilkenny tie in Salthill. This game was memorable for the famous after-match handshake between Kilkenny legends Brian Cody and Henry Shefflin.

All in Mayo GAA would like to wish James the very best of luck in this Saturday’s Croke Park outing – a game that will be broadcast live at 1pm on TG4Sport, on the same bill as the Christy Ring Cup final between Mayo and Kildare at 5pm. Coincidentally, Mayo are captained by Judge’s first cousin Shane Boland, who will line out in the attack for Mayo in the Tier 3 decider.