Month: September 2021

A LEADING SENIOR inter-county footballer and Aussie Rules star has weighed in on the cancellation of the ladies football All-Ireland series at underage level for 2021.

Ladies Gaelic Football Association [LGFA] top brass recently confirmed its decision not to schedule national U14, U16 and minor inter-county competitions for the second year in-a-row, while the GAA pushes on with its equivalent.

The LGFA has informed counties that provincial championships can be organised at these age-grades up to the end of August.

Cork and Limerick are among the counties to have released strongly-worded statements calling on the LGFA to consider a U-turn, with Rebels minor boss Joe Carroll sharing his disappointment with The42 last week:

• ‘Terribly disappointing’ – Fallout after All-Ireland minor ladies football series scrapped again 

The LGFA has since defended its decision in a lengthy statement provided to The Irish Examiner this week, citing “player welfare” as a key factor — among others — behind the scrapping of the underage All-Ireland series.

Cavan’s Aishling Sheridan was asked for her opinion at the 2021 Lidl Ladies National Football League launch yesterday, to which she gave a measured response.

“It’s a difficult one. It’s one I’ve thought about quite a bit and I’ve looked at it from both sides. I obviously played U14, U16, minor and that’s where you make great friends and develop the want to play senior.

Aishling Sheridan was speaking at the 2021 Lidl Ladies National Football Leagues launch.

“It’s unfortunate given the circumstances that there may not be an All-Ireland series for them. I think there is talk that there will be interprovincial, which is still better than nothing. I think you have to take into account everything that has gone on in the last year.

“When I look at it from the LGFA perspective, they’re just trying to put the health and safety of all players first. I know it’s obviously disappointing for the underage players but the LGFA are only trying to put everyone’s health first.

“There’s a middle ground there that they should be happy with. Obviously there’s no All-Ireland semi or All-Ireland finals but if there was potential for the provincial, then that’s still good given the current circumstances in the world right now.”

Please see below link to a Statement released by @CorkLGFA in response to no underage All-Ireland @LadiesFootball Championships taking place this year https://t.co/27VMd1GRBN

— Cork LGFA (@CorkLGFA) May 16, 2021

Statement released by Limerick Ladies Football County Board and underage management teams relating to the cancellation of the 2021 underage competitions.

Read the statement on our website: https://t.co/o3e5AR0g6M pic.twitter.com/2XPx8Vkcnr

— LimerickLadiesGaelic (@LKLadiesGaelic) May 18, 2021

Cork minor player Grace Murphy has set up a petition as the fallout continues, which had 1.313 supporters at the time of writing.

The description reads: “The LGFA have made the devastating decision to not run a minor, U16 or U14 All Ireland championship for underage girls football county teams this year, despite restrictions allowing them to do so and despite the fact that the underage men’s football team, underage men’s hurling teams and camogie teams running the campaign.

“This petition is an effort to draw attention to the desire and demand for a minor, U16 and U14 All-Ireland ladies football campaign this year, just as the men’s football and hurling minor teams are competing in, as well as the minor camogie teams.

“By signing this petition, you are showing your support in the chance for underage girls all over Ireland to showcase their talent and for their hard work and dedication to finally get the recognition it deserves.”

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Updated May 19th 2021, 4:57 PM

EIR HAVE CONFIRMED that its eir Sport channels will wind up later this year, bringing an end to its venture into sports television. 

It’s understood that eir Sport staff were informed of the decision on Tuesday morning.

The telecommunications company and broadcaster announced in March that they were opting out of bidding for sports rights in the latest round of TV auctioning.

At the time, Eir said they were “currently exploring options for the future of eir Sport”.

Now the firm have confirmed that “following an in-depth review” they have “decided to discontinue eir Sport later this year” as the pandemic meant the business model was no longer viable. 

“The challenges of the last year have fundamentally changed the commercial model for sports broadcasters, with more sporting events moving to free-to-air and premium broadcasting rights becoming increasingly expensive,” a statement issued to The42 continued.

The sports TV network will continue to broadcast content this year before it winds up for good.

“We are refocusing our resources on our core business of providing the best mobile and broadband networks and services for our customers,” it added.

“eir sport will continue to broadcast great sporting content including the Allianz Football Leagues, the Rainbow Cup and classic sporting action until later this year. We will update our customers further in the coming weeks.”

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AFTER A LONG few months, Galway All-Star Nicola Ward is looking forward to getting back on the pitch and representing her county.

“A very different league” lies ahead, but it’s one she’s relishing under the watchful eye of new manager Gerry Fahy, as a new chapter begins out West.

Having been involved in the backroom team last year, experienced and renowned coach Fahy — he steered the Tribe’s U21s to Connacht glory and the 2017 All-Ireland final, managed the Offaly footballers and guided NUIG to a Sigerson title in ’03 to sum up his impressive CV — takes the reins for 2021.

By his side is Galway’s 2004 All-Ireland-winning captain Annette Clarke, a legend around Ward’s home club of Kilkerrin-Clonberne.

So far, so good; all is going to plan ahead of Saturday night’s mouth-watering league opener against neighbours Mayo.

“It’s really positive from both a management perspective and a players’ perspective,” Ward, who works as a nurse in the Children’s Hospital in Crumlin, says.

“Gerry opened up trials to the county at the start of the year so we had over 100 girls in which is very positive from a Galway perspective to see the amount of people that are interested.

“It’s been so enjoyable so far. When you get new management it’s a fresh start, and he’s brought in Annette Clarke, who we all know, has won an All-Ireland with Galway herself and walked up the steps of the Hogan Stand, so she’s definitely brought a lot already to the team.

“Her husband, Kieran Collins, is also involved. They have been involved in U16 and minor Galway teams so they know all the talent coming through from underage.

“We have a good few minors in with us as well, and they’re just bringing loads of youth and are so enthusiastic. They are challenging the older girls, it’s been so positive and great so far and hopefully that will continue through the year.”

It’s a welcome return to normality after last December’s All-Ireland semi-final fiasco.

Ward, like everyone else involved, would rather not dwell on it, with a line drawn in the sand at this stage after their last-four defeat to Cork was overshadowed by off-field matters, which have been well-documented at this stage.

“Look it was really disappointing at the time, and I suppose we felt we didn’t really get a fair chance at the match. Whether we would have won is a different story, had circumstances been different.

Ward after that All-Ireland semi-final defeat.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

“But to be honest, it hasn’t really been brought up this year, it’s been parked and a lot of lessons have been learned from our perspective and a LGFA perspective. We’ve seen a lot of positives coming from the LGFA, and the GPA joining together, and hopefully those situations won’t arise again. But it hasn’t really been brought up this year and we are just looking forward. We can’t do anything about what happened in the past.

“I suppose it would make you more determined, you might have felt that you could have missed out on a chance to play in an All-Ireland. But like I said, had circumstances been different, were we were good enough to beat Cork on the day? I don’t know. But definitely more hungry and looking forward to this year.”

Ward epitomises that hunger, splitting her life between her job in Dublin and football in Galway.

In terms of work, the Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t affected it just as much as it has the general hospitals, but she has seen improvements in that regard of late.

The recent cyber attack has made things busier, but that’s the nature of the job. “We are still very apprehensive about Covid, but everything is positive at the minute in our hospital,” she nods.

Juggling it all is tricky, Ward concedes, but it’s something she’s gotten a handle on.

“I get my roster a month ahead, we can self-roster so I have to work two weekends a month and I suppose, you have to really plan the days for training. Between days and nights, it can be tough.

“I find myself driving down to Galway two or three times a week so there is definitely a lot of planning involved. But I’m juggling it well so far, and I suppose with the shortened season this year it is a bit easier that I don’t have nine months to work with.”

She laughs at one point, when she’s asked if she has ever calculated how much it has cost her to play for Galway — “No, never, and to be honest, it didn’t ever bother me either” — but, understandably, welcomes recent good news for ladies football in terms of expenses for players, Government grants, the GPA merger, and increased TV coverage.

“It’s all very positive,” Ward, whose twin sister Louise is also a key player for the team, nods, and all come as steps in the right direction in “improving the standards in ladies Gaelic football” and “levelling the playing field”.

What about the Associations potentially amalgamating one day?

“At the minute, I’m really happy with the way everything’s going, and the coming together of the GPA and the WGPA has been very positive, so I’m sure the next step is they would be all under the one umbrella. Hopefully it will be soon enough.”

That said, she’ll happily focus on herself, and on Galway as she gears up for a big, and hopefully injury-free, 2021, having put recent knee struggles behind her.

It’s all eyes on Mayo this weekend, and the trip to MacHale Park on Saturday night where they’ll hope to hit the ground running and “treat every league game as serious as the next”.

Ward facing Cork.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

“Ourselves and Mayo have a great rivalry down through the years,” she smiles. “No better match to start off. We’ll be coming all guns blazing with a big challenge ahead of us.

“Like ourselves, they have a new management, a new set-up, I’ve heard they have new players in and old players back. We’re very excited and relishing the challenge. It’s always a good battle between the two of us.”

One big name Galway will be without, however, is two-time All-Star Sinéad Burke, who retired earlier this year. While she’s left a notable void, it’s also brought opportunity.

Ward is always one to take the positives.

“Burkey is going to be a massive loss to the team,” she concludes. “But people do come and go, and at 24 years of age I’m finding myself as one of the more experienced players having been there for the last seven years.

“I do feel that I have to stand up and lead from the front, and as I said we have a lot of underage girls coming so it’s great to guide them in the right direction as well. There’s a great mix between youth and experience, despite us not being too old.

“Hopefully that will all work together and do the business.”

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WITH THE OTHER Gaelic games codes back already, ladies football returns this weekend.

The 2021 Lidl Ladies National Football Leagues get up and running on Friday evening, with Cork and Tipperary kicking us off at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

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New faces in: Michael Moyles, Gerry Fahy and Declan Carr.

A new managerial reign will begin there and then, with all eyes on Premier boss — and former All-Ireland hurling winning captain — Declan Carr.

The following evening brings another highly-anticipated Division 1 clash with two more new managers cutting their teeth and going head-to-head at MacHale Park. Michael Moyles’ Mayo welcome Gerry Fahy’s Galway to Castlebar in what should be a thrilling encounter between two neighbouring rivals. Both of these matches are live on TG4.

While it’s as you were in Dublin (Mick Bohan), Cork (Ephie Fitzgerald), Donegal (Maxi Curran), Westmeath (Sean Finnegan) and Waterford (Ciaran Curran), these are three big names who will be interesting to keep an eye on through the top-flight campaign.

Michael Moyles (Mayo)

Moyles is the new man at the Mayo helm, having replaced Peter Leahy in January.

A former Mayo player and 2001 All-Ireland senior club winner with Crossmolina Deel Rangers, Moyles has enjoyed a colourful coaching journey so far and was previously involved with the team in 2015. Moyles was Mayo junior men’s manager in 2013 and has held various other posts in the men’s game within the county and further afield. 

With a strong backroom team in place, he will now steer the ship as the Green and Red look to bounce back from a disappointing 2020 championship exit at the hands of Armagh, and a turbulent few years off the pitch.

• Former Mayo player and club All-Ireland winner named county’s new ladies football boss

Gerry Fahey (Galway)

Another with a strong background in the men’s game, Fahy takes the Tribe reins from Tim Rabbitt. There’s some continuity there, Fahy part of Rabbitt’s 2020 backroom team. 

The Glinsk native is certainly familiar to those in Galway Gaelic football circles, having garnered plenty of experience of working with county and club teams through the years.

He led the Tribe U21s to Connacht glory and the All-Ireland final in 2017, guided NUIG to Sigerson Cup success in 2003, and has fulfilled plenty of other backroom team roles in the past — including working under Val Daly with the seniors in ’97. Fahy also spent a stint in charge of the Offaly senior team, and steered them to the Division 2 National Football League crown in 2004.

With 2004 All-Ireland winning captain Annette Clarke on board as a selector, Galway will now look to build on their 2019 final and ’20 semi-final appearances.

• Experienced Galway boss – who steered U21s to All-Ireland final – takes charge of Tribe ladies

Declan Carr (Tipperary)

The Premier appointment was another high-profile one, former All-Ireland hurling winning captain Carr succeeding now-Waterford men’s boss Shane Ronayne in the role.

The Holycross man, a brother of former Dublin football manager Tommy, was part of Tipp’s 1989 All-Ireland winning squad and skippered the team to a further All-Ireland success in ’91. Carr previously managed Holycross-Ballycahill and the Tipp U21 hurlers, guiding the young guns to a Munster title in ’09.

Having won four national titles in as many years of late, Tipp will be looking to drive on now under Carr, with former Carlow hurling manager Colm Bonner in a strong backroom team.

• Former hurling All-Ireland-winning captain Carr takes charge of Tipp ladies footballers

*****************

Former Tyrone manager Gerry Moane is at the Cavan helm.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

There’s plenty more new managers to keep an eye on down the divisions with Tyrone All-Ireland intermediate winning boss Gerry Moane, for one, taking the reins in Cavan after James Daly’s departure.

Aishling Sheridan, just home from her second season with Collingwood in the Australian Football League Women’s [AFLW], gave some insight into her new manager and what he’s brought to the Breffni set-up ahead of their Division 2 campaign.

“So far, Gerry has been great — and Barry [Grimes, Moane’s right-hand man with the Red Hand], our trainer,” the Mullahoran foward said.

“They’ve really encouraged us to not be afraid to make mistakes, which I think is something really needed, especially with new management. You’re always worried if you make a mistake, they might see it and you want to get your starting place.

“So far, I’ve been back training two weeks and I’ve loved it. They bring a new style to the game we probably haven’t played, which is brilliant again, and they’ve really given every player confidence to go out, be themselves and play themselves. There’s a lot of new faces as well this year so it will be interesting to see how our team lines up for the next few weeks.”

Elsewhere, Kevin Mc Crystal fills the Tyrone vacancy for his second term, Diane O’Hora’s tenure at the Roscommon helm begins, as does that of Emma Kelly and Kyla Trainor with Antrim, and renowned Sligo coach and 2012 U21-winning Connacht manager Anthony Brennan takes charge of the Yeats county.

• ‘Everyone starts from scratch’ – managerial changes aplenty as 2021 season takes shape

OPENING WEEKEND FIXTURES
Lidl Ladies National Football League 2021

21 May 2021

Division 1B – Round 1

• Cork (H) v Tipperary, 7.30pm, Pairc Uí Chaoimh, The Marina, – Live on TG4

22 May 2021

Division 1A – Round 1

• Mayo (H) v Galway, 7.30pm, MacHale Park, Castlebar — Live on TG4

23 May 2021

Division 1A – Round 1

• Donegal (H) v Westmeath, 1pm, Sean MacCumhaills, Ballybofey

Division 1B – Round 1

• Dublin (H) v Waterford, 2pm, Parnell Park, Donnycarney

Division 2A – Round 1

• Meath (H) v Kerry, 3pm, Pairc Tailteann, Navan
• Clare (H) v Wexford, 2pm, Cusack Park, Ennis

Division 2B – Round 1

• Monaghan (H) v Cavan, 2pm, St Tiernach’s Park, Clones
• Tyrone (H) v Armagh, 2pm, Healy Park, Omagh

Division 3A – Round 1

• Down (H) v Sligo, 3pm, Teconnaught GAC, Downpatrick 
• Roscommon (H) v Fermanagh, 2pm, Dr. Hyde Park

Division 3B – Round 1

• Laois (H) v Kildare, 5.30pm, MW Hire O’Moore Park
• Longford (H) v Wicklow, 2pm, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park

Division 4A – Round 1

• Leitrim (H) v Louth, 2pm, Ballinamore Sean O’Heslin Park
• Derry (H) v Antrim, 2pm, Celtic Park Stadium, Lone Moor Road

Division 4B – Round 1

• Carlow (H) v Offaly, 2pm, IT Carlow.

– Non-televised matches will be available to watch at https://page.inplayer.com/lidlnfl/.

CORK AND TIPPERARY have shown their respective hands for tomorrow night’s Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 opener at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

With men’s football, hurling and camogie back up and running already, ladies football returns tomorrow night at the iconic Leeside venue [throw-in 7.30pm, live on TG4].

In what should be a thrilling encounter between Munster neighbours, there’s plenty of storylines in both camps going into this one. All-Ireland winning hurling captain Declan Carr takes charge of Tipperary for the first time, having succeeded now-Waterford men’s boss Shane Ronayne in the role earlier this year.

It’s as you were for the Rebels, with 2016 All-Ireland winning manager Ephie Fitzgerald in situ once again. Fitzgerald has named a strong side for the Division 1B clash, with nine starters from last December’s All-Ireland final defeat to Dublin included.

All-Star defender Emma Spillane returns to the team after a year out, named at corner back, with Sarah Hayes given a chance in midfield having impressed with county champions, divisional outfit West Cork, and her club, Rosscarbery, of late.

Another defender in Aisling Kelleher and young attacking duo Sadhbh O’Leary and Emma Cleary also come into the starting team, as does Mourneabbey’s All-Ireland club championship-winning captain Bríd O’Sullivan at full-forward.

Dual star Hannah Looney is named in the half-forwards, having lined out in midfield and at full-back over the past few seasons. Evergreen goalkeeper Martina O’Brien is captain for 2021, with last year’s skipper Doireann O’Sullivan involved, but absent from the 26-strong matchday squad. The bench is a strong one, with many others still to come in.

And here it is ,
Our First @CorkLGFA Team of the 2021 @LadiesFootball @lidl_ireland NFL Vs @TippLadiesFB
Remember it’s LIVE on @SportTG4 from 7:20
Throw in at 7:30 in @PaircUiCha0imh
We are kindly sponsored by @SuperValuIRL pic.twitter.com/VF2LO71isL

— Cork LGFA (@CorkLGFA) May 20, 2021

Sensational forward Aishling Moloney captains Tipperary this season, and is named at half forward in Carr’s first team. She replaces long-serving skipper Samantha Lambert, who hung up her boots in the off-season.

Having also played inter-county camogie last season, The Nenagh Guardian reports that the high-scoring talent is focusing on football for 2021.

The Premier side — as they have been through the years — is full of young and exciting talent.

Though named on the panel, they’ll be without Aussie Rules duo Aisling McCarthy and Orla O’Dwyer this weekend with the pair still Down Under. Both had impressive individual AFLW seasons; dual star O’Dywer finishing up a Premiership champion with Brisbane Lions and McCarthy hitting the ground running in her first season with West Coast Eagles. The latter is currently recovering from a knee injury.

Her Cahir clubmate, Roisin Howard, is named on the bench for tomorrow night.

The Tipperary Ladies Senior Football team to play Cork in the opening round of the Lidl NFL in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Friday evening May 21st next, has been named this morning. The game will be broadcast live on TG4 @7.30pm. pic.twitter.com/Ud4GNpBtXU

— Tipp Ladies Football (@TippLadiesFB) May 20, 2021

Cork

1. Martina O’Brien (Clonakilty)

2. Shauna Kelly (Araglen Besmonds Buí)
3. Roisin Phelan (St Brigid’s, Dublin)
4. Emma Spillane (Bantry Blues)

5. Erika O’Shea (Macroom)
6. Aisling Kelleher (St Valentine’s)
7. Melissa Duggan (Doheny’s)

8. Máire O’Callaghan (Mourneabbey)
9. Sarah Hayes (Rosscarbery)

10. Orla Finn (Kinsale)
11. Ciara O’Sullivan (Mourneabbey)
12. Hannah Looney (Aghada)

13. Sadhbh O’Leary (Kinsale)
14. Bríd O’Sullivan (Mourneabbey)
15. Emma Cleary (Éire Óg)

Aishling Moloney To Captain Tipp
Cahir’s Aishling Moloney will Captain Tipperary for the 2021 season. She will be aided in her new role by Aherlow’s Anna Rose Kennedy who has been selected as Vice-Captain. The panel for the Lidl NFL has also been revealed. pic.twitter.com/lWj1bIsvPJ

— Tipp Ladies Football (@TippLadiesFB) May 16, 2021

Tipperary

1. Lauren Fitzpatrick (Ballymacarbry)

2. Lucy Spillane (Fethard) 
3. Maria Curley (Templemore)
4. Emma Cronin (Moyles Rovers)

5. Roisin Daly (Moyne/Templetuohy)
6. Caitlin Kennedy (Aherlow)
7. Elaine Kelly (Cappawhite)

8. Anna Rose Kennedy (Aherlow)
9. Elaine Fitzpatrick (Templemore)

10. Edith Carroll (Galtee Rovers/St Pecaun’s)
11. Emma Morrissey (Aherlow)
12. Aishling Moloney (Cahir) — captain

13. Cliona O’Dwyer (Brian Boru)
14. Aine Delaney (Templemore)
15. Marie Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields).

********************

Yesterday, Galway named their side to face Mayo in their MacHale Park opener.

Gerry Fahy opens his reign as Tribe boss against the Green and Red, now under the watchful eye of Michael Moyles, on Saturday evening:

Source: Galway LGFA Instagram.

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CAMOGIE’S FIXTURE CONTROVERSY could be escalated to the Disputes Resolution Authority, with clubs considering an appeal to force the abandoned 2020 championship to be finished.

The Camogie Association adopted a split-season fixture list for 2021 following a vote last week, with 53% of responding clubs endorsing the option, which in turn lead to the decision not to refix the remaining 2020 club games.

All 35 clubs affected wrote to the Association’s Ard Comhairle ahead of their meeting on Wednesday evening to ask them to reverse the decision, with a number of them now prepared to take further action.

“The 35 clubs of Cumann Camogaiochta na nGael that were still involved in the AIB Club Championship 2020 sought to have the championship completed this year 2021,” a statement issued on Thursday read.

“The Ard Comhairle has cancelled the championship despite the fact there is a window of opportunity to complete it in a three-week period from Monday 7th June to Sunday 27th June, a suggestion which was proposed to the Ard Comhairle.

“A representative group of six of the clubs affected also asked for a meeting with the President and the four Provincial Chairpersons but were refused that request.

“The 35 clubs again wrote to the Ard Comhairle before a meeting of the Ard Comhairle on Wednesday 19 May asking it to reverse its decision to cancel the championships. It appears that the Ard Comhairle has decided not to reverse its decision.

“While we understand and acknowledge that this past year has posed unprecedented difficulties for the Association and for those charged with administering its affairs, the clubs have proposed a reasonable alternative which would allow the championships to be played.

“However, following the decision of the Ard Comhairle of Cumann Camogaiochta na nGael not to complete the Club Championship 2020, a number of clubs affected have been left with no option other than to refer the decision to the Dispute Resolutions Authority in an effort to resolve the issue.

“The clubs are the heart of our sport and we want the club players to have the opportunity to play at the highest level available to them.”

– With reporting by Sinéad Farrell

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Updated May 21st 2021, 12:21 PM

PHENOMENAL. BRILLIANT. Very exciting. The words Waterford star Caoimhe McGrath uses when she’s asked about her county joining those breaking new ground.

Waterford’s Caoimhe McGrath was speaking at the 2021 Lidl Ladies National Football League launch.

Source: SPORTSFILE.

In January, it was announced that the Déise will become one of the few women’s Gaelic games counties in the country to own their own pitch outright.

A new facility is being built in Dungarvan after six years of hard work and fundraising behind the scenes, as development continues at Armagh ladies’ field of dreams at McKeever Park in Killeen.

“It seems crazy. It’s 2018 and we’re the only ladies county team in Ireland to have that,” as Orchard chairperson Sinéad Reel told The42 a little over two years ago, when they became the first inter-county side in Ireland to have a base dedicated solely to ladies football. Elsewhere, Cork’s camogie grounds in Castle Road, Mahon, opened in 2012.

Ultimately, the GAA own pitches across the country, and this often causes issues due to the fact that ladies football and camogie are governed by separate organisations.

• ‘A much-needed base we can call our own’ – Waterford join counties breaking new ground

Understandably, this is a big step. McGrath, a dual player focusing on football for 2021, wholeheartedly agrees.

“It’s brilliant. It was very exciting when I heard the news,” she says, hoping that she’ll get to play there one day, joking that she’ll “hang around” until it happens.

“It’s something that’s been in the pipeline and there’s a lot of groundwork going in since 2015, to the best of my knowledge. Brilliant location and everything, it’s actually just down the road from me here out Clonea way.

I was saying it to one of the girls the other day — I’m actually so jealous of the young girls coming up through and starting at that level. I remember the two euros to training and the pan loaf of bread and the ham for the sandwiches afterwards.

“Just the professionalism and the facilities and everything that are going to be available for those girls coming through, I think it’s phenomenal. It would be very exciting to see where things go in the next few years with it.” 

Recent weeks have brought plenty of positive developments in ladies football, between increased government funding, the historic move of travel expenses being covered by the Association and the GPA merger.

All of this, too, is exciting, with McGrath noticing huge changes since she started out playing at inter-county level.

McGrath in action for the Déise camógs last season.

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

“It’s nice to see how far it’s come and it’s nice to have been involved from the start to see how much it has progressed. I think the most significant change would be the fact that when we go to play, we’re just going out to play. That’s the main thing that we then have to focus on.

“It enables us to perform at an elite level and to be more focused on our individual game and our collective game, versus contending with other things like, ‘We can’t get a certain pitch,’ or, ‘We can’t get a certain facility,’ or even the collective gear, so that you come to the match or you come to the training, looking like a team and looking like one unit.”

The unit she has committed to this year is Ciaran Curran’s football one, opting against balancing both with the Déise camogie set-up. This had proved challenging in the past, and going with one for 2021 seemed like the wise option.

“Unfortunately, just due to the training demand and training and match clashes and things, I made the decision just to focus on the football this year.

“I suppose there were certain elements I would have found more challenging than others. I was lucky enough, even coming from the physio background, I’d be interested in acute and chronic training loads and things. I had built up a chronic training load from previous years’ training.

I was able for the physical demands of it. I often found it was quite mentally challenging to juggle two matches in one weekend — or maybe if there were clashes, to be communicating between the two and trying to decide which one I was going to play, or both. What they wanted, I suppose, and coming to a resolution between the two codes.

“That would have been probably the most frustrating side of it, the mentally-demanding side of things. Other than that, you had to be on the ball with everything from nutrition, the sports psych and everything, as you would be if you were playing the one code. But when you add in the second, it felt like I was constantly on the go. There was less down time.

“But I wouldn’t be ruling it out for future seasons or anything, it was just the nature of this season and personal situations and everything that I decided to focus on football for this year.”

The plan now? “Essentially get three wins” in their Division 1A league campaign, in which they face all-conquering Dublin, Cork and Tipperary. “We’ll be going out to every game to win.”

Lofty ambitions, but that’s the aim of the game. For those from the outside looking in, it might feel their league goal shoult be consolidating their top-flight status, but McGrath is striving for much more than that. 

“We would feel confident that we will be retaining Division 1 status this year,” she nods, “we would be aiming for semi-finals. We would be confident that we would be up to that, and hoping that we’d be competing there.”

With “one of the best” dead ball strikers in the ladies game back in their ranks this season in Maria Delahunty — “she’s just brilliant; her accuracy, her consistency and everything. She’s slotted right back in” — they’ll certainly be hell-bent on shaking things up.

Delahunty on the ball.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

That starts against the four-in-a-row All-Ireland champions at Parnell Park on Sunday. They’re under no illusions of how challenging it will be, but they welcome it, confident in their own preparation.

McGrath doesn’t have to look far for motivation. Her grandfather is reading legendary manager Michael Ryan’s new book, ‘The Road from Ballymac,’ at the moment, and she’s ready to give it a whirl afterwards.

There’s plenty to take from the iconic Déise and Ballymacarbry figure.

“I’ve heard the stories down through the years and I’ve heard of the professionalism that Michael Ryan has brought to the teams and when you see what those players have done for the game,” she concludes, witnessing it first-hand in  his guest training sessions.

“Winning the intermediate All-Ireland in 2015 was a huge step for us, but we’ve gotten to the stage now where we’re not happy with just that. We want more and we want to bring Waterford back to the place where they had it, and where he had it.

“He was definitely a man who was ahead of his time in the way he approached things so there is a lot to learn from that as well. It’s just doing the simple things and doing them right and doing them consistently. That does drive belief and drive success.”

Belief is something Caoimhe McGrath certainly has in abundance, and with that, success is never too far away.

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Hannah Tyrrell.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

IRISH RUGBY INTERNATIONAL Hannah Tyrrell is back in the Dublin ladies football set-up, named on the bench for the four-in-a-row All-Ireland champions’ league opener on Sunday.

Fresh off a Six Nations campaign with Adam Griggs’ side where she impressed at 10, Tyrrell makes her return to the Sky Blues after a long inter-county football hiatus.

The 30-year-old, who recently retired from Sevens duty to concentrate on 15s, starred for Na Fianna last year in the Dublin senior football championship,

Having primarily played outfield in Gaelic football of late, she is also a talented goalkeeper, and now comes into Mick Bohan’s side in the number 17 jersey this week.

Dublin management have named their team line out for THIS Sunday’s Lidl NFL clash with Waterford.

WATCH the game live from 2pm via – https://t.co/UCeLYiJ3yohttps://t.co/5ZMLIu5NcQ pic.twitter.com/wRgLJqt1yv

— DublinLGFA (@dublinladiesg) May 21, 2021

Their first matchday panel of 2021 is an interesting one, with seven of the team that started in December’s All-Ireland final win over Cork lining out against Waterford in Sunday’s Division 1B clash at Parnell Park.

Martha Byrne, Aoife Kane, Leah Caffrey, Siobhan McGrath, Jennifer Dunne, Lyndsey Davey and captain Sinead Aherne are in from the start once again, with goalkeeper Abby Sheils earning a Dublin senior debut and Olwen Carey a welcome return to the starting line-up after she opted to take a year out.

Another ‘keeper in Emer Ní Eafa returns to the fold and is named on the bench, with Irish hockey international Sinéad Loughran also a notable inclusion among the substitutes.

Waterford, meanwhile, have named a strong starting 15 with dead-ball specialist and former Wexford Youths soccer player Maria Delahunty back in the set-up, while Ballymacarbry star Mairead Wall is named as captain. 

Throw-in Sunday is 2pm. 

Delahunty in action in 2015.

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Cork and Tipperary get us underway this evening at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, with the teams for that Division 1B one here [throw-in 7.30pm, live on TG4].

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All eyes will be on MacHale Park, Castlebar, tomorrow evening for the meeting of old rivals Mayo and Galway in Division 1B, and the battle of the new managers, Michael Moyles and Gerry Fahy [throw-in also 7.30pm, live on TG4].

Moyles has named 2016 All-Star and Carnacon ace Fiona McHale in midfield, as she returns to the starting team for the first time since 2018. AFLW ace Niamh Kelly starts for the side Éilis Ronayne captains this week, while former North Melbourne player Mairead Seoighe skippers the Tribeswomen.

Fiona McHale.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

On Sunday, Donegal and Westmeath face off in the same group, with Niamh McLaughlin captaining Maxi Curran’s hosts in Ballyboffey, and Fiona Claffey moving to the forward line and skippering the 2020 All-Ireland intermediate finalists.

All Division 1 starting teams are below.

Cork (v Tipperary): M O’Brien (capt.); S Kelly, R Phelan, E Spillane; E O’Shea, A Kelleher, M Duggan; M O’Callaghan, S Hayes; O Finn, C O’Sullivan, H Looney; S O’Leary, B O’Sullivan, E Cleary.  

Tipperary (v Cork): L Fitzpatrick; L Spillane, M Curley, E Cronin; R Daly, C Kennedy, E Kelly; A.R. Kennedy, E Fitzpatrick; E Carroll, E Morrissey, A Moloney (capt.); C O’Dwyer, A Delaney, M Creedon.  

Galway (v Mayo): D Gower; S Brennan, S Lynch, S Molloy; K Geraghty, N Ward, C Cooney; A Davoren, M Glynn; O Divilly, M Seoighe (capt.), L Coen; E Noone, A Trill, K Slevin.  

Mayo (v Galway): L Brennan; O Conlon, K Sullivan, T O’Connor; E Ronayne (capt.), C McManamon, E Brennan; F McHale, M McHale; N Kelly, S Howley, S Cafferky; M Reilly, D Doherty, L Cafferky.  

Dublin (v Waterford): A Sheils; O Nolan, L Caffrey, O Carey; M Byrne, A Kane, L Collins; L McGinley, D Murphy; J Dunne, S McGrath, L Davey; N Hetherton, S Killeen, S Aherne (capt.).  

Waterford (v Dublin): M Foran; A Mullaney, L Mulcahy, R Casey; C Fennell, K McGrath, M Wall (capt.); C McGrath, E Murray; R Tobin, A Wall, K Hogan; E Fennell, M Delahunty, K Murray.  

Donegal (v Westmeath): A McColgan; N Carr, E McGinley, E Gallagher; A.M. Logue, M Ryan, A Boyle Carr; K Herron, S Twohig; B McLaughlin, N McLaughlin (capt.), N Boyle; N Hegarty, K Guthrie, G McLaughlin.  

Westmeath (v Donegal): S Byrne; N Spellman, J Rogers, E Kelly; R Dillon, A Brady, T Fagan; V Carr, T Dillon; F Claffey (capt.), L Archibold, A Jones; L McCartan, K Hegarty, S Dillon.  

– with reporting from Ladies Gaelic Football.

TWO CLARE PLAYERS have been ruled out of this weekend’s National Hurling League action after they were listed as close contacts of Wexford’s Covid-19 cases.

Two Wexford players tested positive following last Sunday’s clash between the counties, and two members of the Clare squad were subsequently named as close contacts this week.

The players, who have not been identified by Clare, were both tested for Covid-19 on Thursday.

One player has received a negative result while the other is still awaiting his result at the time of writing.

“The two players have been stood down for this weekend as a precaution,” a Clare spokesman confirmed to The42 on Friday afternoon.

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Clare take on Laois in Division 1B on Sunday afternoon in O’Moore Park, with both counties hoping to register their first win of the campaign after opening with back-to-back defeats.

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FORMER IRELAND RUGBY Sevens international Louise Galvin is back in the Kerry ladies football set-up for the 2021 season. 

The Finuge / St Senan’s clubwoman is named to start in midfield for the Kingdom in their Division 2A Lidl Ladies National Football League opener against Meath on Sunday. Navan’s Páirc Tailteann hosts the clash, with throw-in at 3pm.

Galvin called time on her glittering Sevens career last September after five years in the green jersey; the Covid-19 pandemic ultimately bringing an end to that chapter of her colourful sporting career.

A physiotherapist by trade, the 33-year-old also played 15s rugby for Ireland, making her debut at the 2017 World Cup — head coach Adam Griggs left the door open to her after her Sevens retirement — and is a former basketball international.

Galvin continued to play club rugby with UL Bohemians through the Autumn, and helped her club to a Kerry championship title.

Now, she returns to the inter-county scene after a six-year absence.

The Kerry team to face Meath in Round 1 of the Lidl Ladies NFL Division 2A Round 1 clash has being named. A reminder to fans the game is being streamed live and is free. Click on the following link to access the live streaming: https://t.co/OiuYUUUI66 #serioussupport pic.twitter.com/4OntxF8ed1

— KerryLGFA (@kerryladiesfoot) May 21, 2021

Great to see @lougalvin4 back in the green & gold 💚💛 https://t.co/wpNIDhanDa

— Darran O'Sullivan (@Darransull86) May 21, 2021

🟢🟡Back in the fold!

After a five-year stint as an Ireland rugby international, @lougalvin4 will return to inter-county duty with @kerryladiesfoot on Sunday, as the Kingdom take on @meathladiesMLGF in Division 2 of the @lidl_ireland National League! #SeriousSupport pic.twitter.com/GOHdKeLm0x

— Ladies Football (@LadiesFootball) May 21, 2021

She partners 2017 All-Star Lorraine Scanlon in midfield in the Kerry side which Rathmore’s Aislinn Desmond captains for 2021.

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Declan Quill and Darragh Long remain in the managerial position, after their bright start to the tenure in 2020.

The Kingdom have a strong attacking unit in place for the clash with the Royals — last year’s All-Ireland intermediate champions — with the deadly trio of Síofra O’Shea, Hannah O’Donoghue and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh making up the full-forward line.

Age is only a number!

Now 37, @mundzo8 will play senior football for @Monaghan_LGFA on Sunday, for the first time since appearing as a sub v @dublinladiesg in 2015!

Amanda is named at midfield against @CavanLGFA for the @lidl_ireland NFL Division 2 opener! #SeriousSupport pic.twitter.com/8CCqX7PjL3

— Ladies Football (@LadiesFootball) May 21, 2021

Also returning to the inter-county scene in Division 2 is Monaghan midfielder Amanda Casey. The Donaghmoyne stalwart and multiple club All-Ireland winner, now aged 37, lines out for the Farney for the first time since appearing as a sub against Dublin in 2015.

Monaghan, captained by Ellen McCarron, face Cavan, under the watchful eye of new manager Gerry Moane, in their league opener at St Tiernach’s Park on Sunday.