Ladies bid to make winning start
Editorial Department • Published 2 Feb 2012 13:00
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Fermanagh ladies kick-start their league campaign this weekend against old foes Cavan. The Dowd Cup has served Darren Boyle and Emmett Curry well in recent weeks, as they used the competition to unearth new talent within the county. Now it's time for the new talent to combine with the experienced players as they bid to get off to a winning start.
Cavan recorded two victories over Fermanagh last season, beating them in the Ulster final and in the All Ireland Qualifiers. Whilst joint manager Darren Boyle knows it will be difficult, he is confident they can get a win:
"We're expecting a win and we're capable of beating them. We should have beaten them in the All Ireland Qualifier but I think we're a stronger side than we were last year."
Boyle's team has been strengthened by two additional goalkeepers, Brenda Curry and Niamh Gillen both vying for the number one jersey with Donna Gilroy. Kinawley's Zoe Leonard has proven her worth in the Dowd Cup, as has Sabrina Barrett and Irvinestown's Sarah McCausland. Another big plus for Fermanagh is the return of Edel McGovern. The experienced, hard working playmaker will be key to Fermanagh's success.
Boyle wants to keenly contest this division. They're not merely there to make up the numbers, he insists:
"We want to put a marker down that we are here to stay, in this division. We didn't work hard last year to go up for one year and then be relegated again."
With Cavan, Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford, Clare, Mayo and Galway in their group the Kinawley man knows the challenge ahead:
"It's a massive step up but at the end of the day if you want to improve and better yourself, the only way to do that is to play better opposition."
Fermanagh beat Donegal in a challenge match last Friday night and Darren is ready for the season ahead:
"I'm very confident. We know we're as good as Cavan, Clare and Waterford. We're confident that we can operate at that level. We know it won't be easy but the girls have been putting in a big effort in training. We'll be looking for big performances from some of the older heads, those players know how to grind out results."
Orla Reihill has been appointed captain for the season ahead, with Aisling Moane as vice captain.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 02 Feb 12
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