Maggie crosses new line for GAA
Ms Farrelly yesterday became the first female to run the line in an inter-county match, during the Dr McKenna Cup clash between Tyrone and Derry in Omagh. “I wasn’t nervous, I don’t really get nervous,” she laughed last night. “I approach every game in the same way, whether I am playing or officiating, and this game was no different.”
Ms Farrelly, also a ladies’ football referee, first took up the whistle in her native Cavan. She said: “The reaction from players and officials has been brilliant.
“You have one or two that might say something but overall I get a massive amount of respect and encouragement from everyone I work with.”
Ms Farrelly will be a familiar sight in this year’s competitions but admits that her ambition is now to take charge of a men’s inter-county match.
