Female referee Maggie Farrelly to take charge of McKenna Cup fixture

Maggie Farrelly will take charge of the McKenna Cup game between Fermanagh and St Mary's

Maggie Farrelly will make history on 3 January when she becomes the first female referee to take charge of a senior inter-county game.

The Cavan woman will throw the ball in at the Dr McKenna Cup match between Fermanagh and St Mary's at Brewster Park, Enniskillen.

Farrelly has previously refereed in quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Cavan Senior Football Championship.

In 2012, she was a sideline official for an Ulster Club Senior Football tie.

Last year she became the first female to take charge of an inter-county game when she was in the middle for the Ulster minor Championship fixture between Fermanagh and Antrim.

Despite only taking up refereeing in 2008, she joined the Ulster GAA Referee Academy in 2011.

Her first final came the following year, when she refereed the Cavan All-County League decider.

In 2014, she refereed the county Under-21 final, the All-Ireland Ladies' Senior Final and was named Ulster GAA Referee of the Year.