Maggie Farrelly makes history by becoming the first woman to referee a senior county game

 

Maggie Farrelly prepares for the throw in. Image: Mandatory credit/ Presseye/Trevor/Lucy/INPHO

Maggie Farrelly made GAA history last night when she became the first female to referee a senior county football match after she was put charge of Fermanagh’s 1-13 to 0-14 win over St Mary’s on Wednesday night.

The Dr McKenna Cup contest, which was pushed back a few days having been postponed on Sunday, took place in Garvaghey amid heavy rainfall.

Farrelly has made history before and has officiated in the men`s game before, acting as a sideline official in the Ulster Senior Club Championship fixture between St Galls and Tempo Maguires in 2012.

The Cavan born referee was also the first female to referee an inter-county game in the Ulster Minor Championship match between Fermanagh and Antrim last year.

On the pitch it was a tight affair with the two teams deadlocked at the halfway stage on 0-06 apiece, with Fermanagh’s Tomas Corrigan slotting over four points with one of them coming from a free.

Ryan Johnston and Neil McNicholl were the lifeline for the students and also got scores as the students pushed Fermanagh all the way. Both sets of players struggled in difficult conditions, with heavy rain making life tricky for both sides.

Kevin McKernan grabbed  a point to give the students the lead, but Barry Mulrone responded with a wonderful score, and Fermangh`s leading forward Sean Quigley was also on target for the Erne men.

Patrick McBride responded with a point for the students, but Eoghan O’Flaherty fired home a late goal to end any chance of an upset to secure a Fermanagh win.

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