Chaos Erupts in Ulster Club as Scotstown Newbridge Semi-Final Abandoned at Half-Time in Omagh
Chaos erupted in the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship as the semi-final match between Scotstown and Newbridge was halted at half-time due to a severely waterlogged pitch. The game took place at Healy Park in Omagh, where referee Joe McQuillan made the decision to abandon the match while Scotstown led 1-4 to 0-3.
Match Abandonment Details
The match was called off amid heavy rainfall that rendered the field unsafe for play. Ulster GAA president Michael Geoghegan supported McQuillan’s decision, highlighting the referee’s experience and the poor pitch conditions. “The forecast said there would be little rain, but unfortunately, we could not predict the weather accurately,” Geoghegan stated.
Impact on the Championship
- Scotstown was leading with a score of 1-4 to 0-3 at the time of the abandonment.
- Kilcoo has already secured a spot in the Ulster final.
- The semi-final is expected to be rescheduled for next weekend.
Geoghegan revealed that the pitch had previously hosted an Ulster Intermediate semi-final, where Glenullin defeated Carrickmacross after extra time. Conditions deteriorated for the senior game, leading to standing water on the field and difficult footing for the players.
Player Updates
Scotstown entered the semi-final without suspended defender Ryan O’Toole and had Conor McCarthy on the bench due to injury. Despite these absences, Scotstown demonstrated strong performance early in the game, supported by key players like Kieran Hughes and Jack McCarron.
Conversely, Newbridge featured a remarkable lineup, including five McGrogan brothers in their starting team. The team had been competing well under challenging conditions and will now have to prepare for a replay, which will restart from a 0-0 scoreline.
Further details regarding the re-fixture are anticipated soon from Ulster GAA, with next weekend being the most probable timeframe. As the situation unfolds, both teams will be eagerly preparing for the important match ahead.
