Herron and Glenfin left to rue what might have been after loss to Errigal Ciaran

Katy Herron felt that Glenfin just didn’t get the rub of the green when it mattered in her side’s LGFA Ulster opener loss to Errigal Ciaran.

After a lightning start at Páirc Taobhóige, the hosts jumped 1-2 clear. But a strange penalty call, where Herron seemed to legitimately pop possession away from visiting forward Emily Maguire, resulted in Derry match official Anthony Campbell pointing to the spot.

READ NEXT: Battling Glenfin fall to Errigal Ciaran in LGFA Ulster SFC opener 

By the midpoint, the momentum had shifted with the Tyrone champions departing 2-5 to 1-4 in front.

“It was very difficult out there but both sides had to contend with that,” Herron told Donegal Live. 

“We targeted a quick start and to get our hands on the ball just to settle.

“We were delighted with the first 15 minutes but we coughed up some sloppy mistakes and the bounce of the ball even… it just began to add up.”

On that crucial penalty call, Herron said it was a difficult one to fathom as Maria Canavan subsequently converted from the spot.

And even though the Red Hand visitors were four clear at the changeover, Herron insisted that there was no real sense of panic at that stage inside the home dressing room.

“It was me that made the tackle but I don’t think I’ve made a cleaner one in a long time. The ball was there and I knocked it out of the player’s hands. I don’t know what the referee gave it for.

“The umpire was a little unsure as well. But some days you get them and other days those decisions go against you.

“We probably gifted them their opening 1-3. That said, we were happy enough at half-time with where we were at.”

Paul Bonner’s side emerged with the bit between their teeth and, rattling off four points on the trot, tied matters up at 2-5 to 1-8 by the 40-minute mark.

Crucially, though, from an Errigal Ciaran point of view at least, that momentum was cut by Canavan.

Had Glenfin managed to nab a fifth over and taken the lead, it would have been a huge boost in front of their own support.

“We probably rushed one or two plays. Time was ticking on and we just couldn’t find that next score after levelling it up that last time.

“They played it very smart after that. They were slowing it down, going down tying their laces, killing the momentum. 

“It just didn’t go our way in the end.”