In 1970 Cork triumphed over Wexford in the All-Ireland final to claim their 21st title and draw level with Tipperary at the top of hurling's roll of honour.

It was his first time refereeing an All-Ireland final; however, he was a regular 'man in the middle' for National Hurling League and Leinster championship games over the previous two years.

There was much excitement in the buildup to the game with the press extolling the unique glamour of Cork and Kilkenny teams on All-Ireland final day.

Two minutes later Ray Cummins, Cork's Gaelic footballer-cum-hurler, gathered a cross from Justin McCarthy and responded for his team with a superbly executed goal sent low into the Hill 16 net.

Two minutes later Kilkenny were back on level terms, courtesy of a huge Pat Henderson free from his own half of the field and the equalizer from Liam 'Chunky' O’Brien.

Three minutes later Kilkenny 'keeper Noel Skehan brought off a great save from a Charlie McCarthy shot, however, Ray Cummins was standing by to put the ball over the bar.

With just over a quarter of the match played Charlie McCarthy found the range with a free and brought the sides level yet again before Ray Cummins put Cork ahead.

Two minutes later Cork got a massive boost when a long speculative shot from the wing by Mick Malone deceived Noel Skehan and ended up in the Kilkenny net.

Cork's lead was eaten into immediately after the restart when John Kinsella scored his first point of the day to steal one back for 'the Cats'.

Eddie Keher, who had a relatively quiet opening half by his own standards thanks to the close marking of Tony Maher, registered another score for Kilkenny soon afterwards courtesy of a free.

After scoring that goal an almost emotionless Keher simply turned around to go back to his normal playing position with blood pouring out of a cut over his eye.

In spite of having a quiet opening half Eddie Keher scored 2–9 in all as ‘the Cats’ reversed an eight-point deficit to win by a comfortable margin of seven.