Jimmy Hatton Explained

James Hatton (14 August 1934 – 28 February 2023) was an Irish Gaelic footballer, hurler and referee. He played at club level with Kilcoole and was a dual player with the Wicklow senior teams. Hatton also served as a referee at club and inter-county levels.

Playing career

Hatton first played Gaelic football and hurling as a schoolboy with Kilcoole NS and Greystones CBS, winning a North Wicklow Juvenile League title in 1948. He later played at underage levels with Newtownmountkennedy and won a Wicklow U16FC title in 1950.^[2]

Hatton later had a lengthy career at senior levels with the Kilcoole club. He won a Wicklow SFC title in 1954, while he also lined out in several Wicklow SHC finals.^[3] Hatton also spent a decade as a dual player with Wicklow. He won an O'Byrne Cup title in 1957 and a Leinster JHC medal in 1964.

Post-playing career

Hatton began refereeing at club level in 1957.^[4] He had the distinction of refereeing 11 All-Ireland finals at club and inter-county levels in both hurling and Gaelic football. These include eight All-Ireland finals at senior level, including both senior finals in 1966. Hatton also refereed the inaugural All-Ireland club final in 1971.^[5]

Hatton also served in various administrative roles with the Kilcoole club. He was a team selector when Wicklow won the Leinster JFC title in 1969 and when the Wicklow senior hurlers won Division 2 of the National Hurling League in 1976.

Personal life and death

Hatton worked as a company rep for a clothing company. He married Rose Reilly in 1965 and the couple had four children; two boys and two girls. She predeceased Hatton in 2017.^[6]

Hatton died on 28 February 2023, at the age of 88.^{[7] [8]}

Honours

Newtownmountkennedy

• Wicklow Under-16 Football Championship: 1950

Kilcoole

• Wicklow Senior Football Championship

1954

• West Wicklow Senior Football Championship: 1954

Wicklow

• O'Byrne Cup

1957

• Leinster Junior Hurling Championship

1964

Notes and References

1. Web site: He’s Got Medals. 1 March 2023. June 2020. Greystones Guide website.
2. Web site: Jimmy Hatton and Jimmy Gammell. 1 March 2023. GAA website.
3. Web site: Remembering the men of '54. 1 March 2023. 2 December 2014. Wicklow People.
4. Web site: Wicklow's 'Knight of the Whistle'. 1 March 2023. 25 April 2020. Bray People.
5. Web site: Jimmy Hatton – referee, hurler, footballer, county selector (both codes). 1 March 2023. 27 March 2019. Wicklow GAA website.
6. Web site: The death has occurred of Rose Ann HATTON (née Reilly). 1 March 2023. 21 October 2017. rip.ie.
7. Web site: Legendary All-Ireland final referee Jimmy Hatton dies at 88. 1 March 2023. 1 March 2023. Irish Independent.
8. Web site: Death of legendary Wicklow referee Jimmy Hatton. 1 March 2023. 1 March 2023. Hogan Stand.