Scotstown boss unhappy with controversial Beggan call

David McCague. ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson.

Scotstown manager David McCague didn't agree with the decision to award a controversial free against Rory Beggan during the closing stages of yesterday’s dramatic Ulster club SFC quarter-final against Magherafelt.

The Monaghan goalkeeper collided Shane Heavron as he saved an attempt at a fisted point, resulting in a free which Heavron tapped over to give the Derry champions the lead in injury-time of normal time. But there was still time for Nicky Sherlock to send the tie to extra-time and for the reigning Ulster kingpins to eventually prevail by 2-21 to 2-20.

“I wasn't happy with it, I'd probably have to see it back,” McCague is quoted as saying by Belfast Live.

“There's a player converging on your goals, Rory's trying to protect our goals, he got his hands up. From my view of it, he got his hands to the ball.

“But look, Noel Mooney’s a top class referee, I really enjoyed how he refereed the game today.

“It's refreshing to see the level of contact that's in the game now, I think maybe it springs from Martin McNally's performance in the All-Ireland and referees are following that lead and allowing that contact.”