Derry SFC final in doubt as club launches appeal over decisions from officials in semi-final

According to the rule, a player must have ‘at least one foot on or outside the 40m arc’ when kicking a score for it to be given as a two-pointer

Slaughtneil’s objection against the result of their Derry semi-final defeat by Newbridge at the weekend is set to be heard on Tuesday night. Recent precedent in other counties over issues surrounding the two point arc indicates that it is unlikely to be successful unless they can come up with a fresh legal angle to contest the result of the game.

And it may just be a case of the club registering their unhappiness about how the tie panned out. The only way it seems there could be a replay is if Newbridge offered one, but this seems very unlikely. Slaughtneil could then take the case to the hearings committee of the Ulster Council.

There was controversy towards the end as Shane McGuigan’s shot was deemed a one pointer with Slaughtneil claiming it should have been a two pointer. However, the referee gave it as a single and with the white flag going up from the umpires this is likely to mean there will be no change to the result of the game.

Slow motion replays show that Derry All Star McGuigan’s standing foot was on the arc and a two pointer should have been awarded. But in real time it is almost impossible to tell, indicating the difficulty for match officials.

The rule states that the kicker’s standing foot must be placed on or outside the arc for it to count as a two point effort.

On the next kickout the ball was moved forward 50 metres after the referee deemed it wasn’t handed back to a Newbridge player after he awarded a free.

Derry defender Conor Doherty launched a two point effort that was given by the umpires, with Slaughtneil believing it was wide. Again, it was difficult to draw a firm conclusion in real time, and indeed in slow motion replays.

The two point arc has emerged as a major issue at club level in recent weeks and it may well have to be looked at again by the Football Review Committee (FRC).

The Derry Senior Final is pencilled in for next Sunday at Celtic Park, with holders Newbridge facing a Magherafelt side who were impressive 10 point winners over 2024 All-Ireland champions, Glen in the semi-final.