Ulster chief predicts bright future for trailblazer Maggie Farrelly

Ulster Council chairman Martin McAviney insists referee Maggie Farrelly’s championship debut on Sunday was not a once-off, predicting a bright future for the Cavan official on the men’s inter-county scene.

Farrelly took charge of the Ulster MFC quarter-final between Fermanagh and Antrim — the first time a female referee has presided over a men’s inter-county championship fixture.

McAviney praised Farrelly’s handling of the tie — not a single card was issued, drawing particular encouragement from the respect paid to her by both teams.

“I thought she refereed very well, but I was far more interested to see what kind of reaction she would get from the players. This was the first time these lads would have played a game refereed by a woman and I was interested to see would they try and take advantage of that situation,” noted McAviney.

“I spoke with Maggie after the game and she said the respect from the players was excellent. They treated her as they would treat any referee and that was very encouraging to see.”

The Ulster chairman expects Farrelly to be awarded further Ulster championship games off the back of her performance at Enniskillen.

“She will be judged on Sunday and I have no doubt that will lead to her refereeing more games at this level. Sunday’s game won’t be the last she does, that is for sure.

“I wasn’t sure how Maggie would go because there was a lot of media coverage on her appointment. She didn’t allow that affect her and was confident in her control of the game.

“As to climbing the ladder, every step is a step away from the previous step. They are big steps to take to U21 and senior level. Ulster GAA don’t have control over appointments at senior level so that decision won’t be down to us.”

Meanwhile, Tyrone will not contest the eight-week ban handed down to assistant manager Gavin Devlin stemming from his involvement in the half-time fracas which broke out during their Ulster SFC clash with Donegal.

Tyrone County Board have confirmed it will appeal a €5,000 fine imposed by the Central Competitions Control Committee as a result of the melee.

Elsewhere, Munster Council were not surprised by the low turnout at Sunday’s football quarter-final clash between Tipperary and Waterford at Semple Stadium.

The game was watched by a paltry figure of 1,641, paling in comparison to the 4,520 which attended the Clare-Limerick Munster SFC quarter-final clash a week earlier.

“Weather was a factor, but it was never a game at which we would have expected a huge attendance,” remarked a Munster Council official.