atfconline
26/01/2003, 4:37 PM
Irish Independent (http://www.independent.ie)
HILDA McDERMOTT struck a blow for women's lib at Santry's Morton Stadium yesterday when she became the first female to referee an eircom League match, overseeing Dublin City's 2-1 victory over Athlone Town.
And the occasion provided another entry for the soccer trivia collection when Athlone centre-half Ronan Frawley became the first player to be sent off by a woman referee in the League.
Frawley was given his marching orders after being cautioned for the second time on 59 minutes.
Brendan Kelly fired City ahead just after the restart and Derek McGrath stretched their advantage with a stunning strike on 53 minutes.
Athlone pulled a goal back within a minute when Eric Molloy latched on to a bad backpass and set up Stephen Mullen for an easy finish but the visitors were unable to force an equaliser.
Defeat for the Midland side left them second from the bottom and they must now seek re-election to the eircom League, exactly 20 years after they were crowned League champions.
HILDA McDERMOTT struck a blow for women's lib at Santry's Morton Stadium yesterday when she became the first female to referee an eircom League match, overseeing Dublin City's 2-1 victory over Athlone Town.
And the occasion provided another entry for the soccer trivia collection when Athlone centre-half Ronan Frawley became the first player to be sent off by a woman referee in the League.
Frawley was given his marching orders after being cautioned for the second time on 59 minutes.
Brendan Kelly fired City ahead just after the restart and Derek McGrath stretched their advantage with a stunning strike on 53 minutes.
Athlone pulled a goal back within a minute when Eric Molloy latched on to a bad backpass and set up Stephen Mullen for an easy finish but the visitors were unable to force an equaliser.
Defeat for the Midland side left them second from the bottom and they must now seek re-election to the eircom League, exactly 20 years after they were crowned League champions.