The first round of fixtures in ladies football gets underway in Leitrim, with Glencar/Manorhamilton beginning the hunt for three in a row at senior.
Senior:
St Josephs v Ballinamore Seán O’Heslins
On Sunday morning a repeat of last years B Championship final is on the cards, as Josephs welcome Ballinamore for what is expected to be another tight affair.
In all honesty, there’s very little separating these two sides. The hosts came out on top in last years second championship clash, although Ballinamore showed they can beat them in the league earlier this year.
This fixture also throws up an interesting juxtaposition, with the Josephs being older and more experienced whilst the youth are what drives forward the visitors. This could just edge victory for them.
Emma McGovern will be a loss but they should have enough firepower with the likes of Laura O’Dowd and Niamh Donohue contributing scores alongside Roisin McHugh.
St. Francis find themselves in a transitional period, having made a late managerial change ahead of the championship, which likely won’t help their chances.
They did however perform well in the league and despite not winning it, impressed a few. If they can get over the coaching chance, they could be an outside bet for this years championship.
Kiltubrid on the other hand possess the firepower of the two Tighe sisters, Sinead and Niamh. Michelle Guckian’s inter county form has also helped them move into a whole new gear, where they can compete with the top three in recent years.
Kiltubrid will be a hard team to beat for anyone and should be favourites Sunday. St. Francis are without the services of Ailish Cornyn, meaning they will look like a different team. They’re a young side, but may prove to be raw.
Glencar/Manorhamilton v Naomh Padraig Dromahair
The holders going for three in a row welcome the intermediate champions, which is a big ask for the visitors.
Despite being thrown into the deep end, they have accomplished a similar feat before. Ten years ago, they won the senior championship having won the intermediate championship the year prior.
However the gap between these sides and senior and intermediate has likely grown. Despite this, they have a young core who have become county players consisting of Edel Kelly and Amy Fowley alongside the experience of Roisin Fowley and Sinead Kelly.
Dromahair will take a few scalps but this particular game against this strong side is likely a step too soon.
Intermediate:
Mohill v St. Mary’s Kiltoghert
Sunday morning’s clash is expected by many to be a potential final preview. Mohill are fresh off relegation, whilst Mary’s are the reigning runners up.
Mary’s should be buoyed by having just won the Division 2 league title against last years final opponents in Dromahair and they have developed nicely under Declan Bohan.
The Bruen sisters should provide strength through the middle of the park whilst Aisling Leahy will be their main target up front. Enya McWeeney will also provide some strength in the middle.
Mohill have quality wherever you look but are a completely different entity when the services of Dearbhaile Beirne are available to them. The likes of Denise Stenson, Deirdre Ward and the emerging Sarah Boyle have been impressive in the league campaign.
Clodagh Tighe takes after her father in commanding the back line well. However, so much of this teams potential rests on Beirne’s availability.
Fenagh St. Cailins v Drumkeeran
This is the battle of the previous two junior champions, with Fenagh being the holders. Both clubs have also struggled with numbers, but have maintained a one club unit over the last number of years.
The loss of Annmarie Gallagher for Drumkeeran will be a huge loss, given her astronomical scoring numbers. With another year of intermediate football however, they’ll look to commit to this years competition with a potential win.
It should be a tight game, but if they show up, Drumkeeran will win. Fenagh will have to be top of their game.
