Ulster GAA president Michael Geoghegan has backed referee Joe McQuillan’s decision to abandon yesterday’s Ulster club SFC semi-final between Scotstown and Newbridge at half-time due to a waterlogged pitch.

Conditions at O’Neills Healy Park deteriorated to such an extent during the first half that the Cavan match official was left with little option but to call a halt to proceedings with Scotstown leading 1-4 to 0-3.

"Disappointed, but I mean it's the referee's call and it's the correct call when you see the conditions of the pitch," Geoghegan said in an interview with BBC Sport NI.

"Health and safety of the players is the first and most important thing in any of our games and that was the referee's concern that it wasn't safe to play that game in the second half.

"We regret the game had to be called off, but I mean safety is paramount to everybody here, both spectators and players. Again, it's the referee's decision, he made that decision, he's the most experienced referee in the country and we 100% back his decision.”

Geoghegan also defended the choice of venue, adding: “You can bring games wherever you like, nobody can forecast what the weather’s going to be. The weather apps earlier were giving us windy conditions, no sign or word of rain, so we can’t forecast what the weather will be.”

Meanwhile, Scotstown manager David McCague took issue with the referee's decision, saying: “I can’t answer for the opposition management team, but we wanted to play on.

“I’m annoyed that the game wasn’t finished, but I’m delighted that we’re still in the Ulster Championship. There’s sort of mixed emotions on that.”

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