THE GAA at central level is set to conduct an independent investigation into the events relating to the appointment of a referee for last Sunday’s Down Senior Football Championship final between Kilcoo and Burren.

Kilco objected to the initial appointment of Paul Faloon as referee, bringing the matter to the DRA last weekend.

While the DRA threw the case out, it set in course a chain of events which saw Brian Higgins officiate the game instead.

Kilcoo won the final with a formidable performance against Burren, but there has been much debate about the controversy surrounding the referee appointment.

Down Secretary Sean Óg McAteer issued a statement today saying that the County Board made a request to the GAA requesting an independent review of the episode, confirming that the request was given the seal of approval by the Association.