The Ulster Senior Club Football Championship descended into chaos this afternoon as the semi-final between Scotstown and Newbridge was abandoned at half-time due to an unplayable pitch at Healy Park, Omagh.
Referee Joe McQuillan decided the torrential rain had left the surface waterlogged and unsafe, calling the game during the interval with Scotstown leading 1-4 to 0-3.
With Kilcoo already through to the Ulster final, the provincial body will now need to find a new date, and quickly.
Ulster Club Chaos As Scotstown–Newbridge Semi-Final Abandoned At Half-Time In Omagh
Speaking after the match, Ulster GAA president Michael Geoghegan backed McQuillan’s judgement on the conditions.
Joe McQuillan is one of the most experienced referees in the country, his call was the pitch was unplayable.
Asked whether two games should have been played on the pitch on such a wet day, Geoghegan insisted the decision was based on the day’s forecast.
This morning the forecast said there was very little rain for this part of the world, we thought we’d get away light, we unfortunately didn’t, we can’t determine the forecast in this country and it is winter football, we have to take our chances with the venues that are available to us.
We took our chances with the venue today, first game went through ok, the rain got worse as the first game went on. So the referee made the call at half-time in the second game not to proceed.
On the re-fixture, Geoghegan said the semi-final will most likely take place next weekend, with all other details to be finalised by the CCC.
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The pitch had already hosted the Ulster Intermediate semi-final earlier in the day, where Glenullin (Derry) beat Carrickmacross (Monaghan) after extra-time.
By the time the senior game began, the surface was already suffering, and the weather only got worse.
Standing water began to appear, the ball repeatedly held up on the turf, and both sets of players struggled to keep their footing. By half-time, McQuillan had seen enough.
Scotstown entered the tie without Monaghan defender Ryan O’Toole, who was suspended, while county man Conor McCarthy was named on the bench due to injury.
Despite that, the Monaghan champions looked sharp early on, leaning heavily on the experience of Kieran Hughes, Darren Hughes, Jack McCarron, Rory Beggan and Shane Carey to build a four-point advantage.
All of that progress is now null and void, the replay will restart at 0-0.
Derry champions Newbridge lined out with five McGrogan brothers in their starting team, one of the most remarkable family contingents in the club game.
They had battled well in the conditions and now must prepare to do it all again.
Ulster GAA will confirm the full re-fixture details shortly, though Geoghegan’s comments make next weekend the likely slot.
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