Maggie crosses new line for GAA

Fittingly, on the day Irish women celebrated Nollaig na mBan, Maggie Farrelly was making GAA history.

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.