Fermanagh Chairperson, Ann McGrath has been involved in ladies football for over 20 years. Firstly, as a player with Devenish and for the past 14 years she has been involved at administration level. Ann was appointed chairperson three years ago but 2014 will, for many reasons stand out as an unforgettable one.

Four months ago this week, she sustained life-threatening injuries when a tractor ran over her at her family home in Garrison. The 53 year-old has made a remarkable recovery and says she’s back to about 70 per cent full health now. Ann has always been immersed in ladies football in the county and despite a difficult few months, she has been on the road with Fermanagh as they’ve made the journey to Croke Park for the second time in their history.

“The girls have really kicked on from the Ulster final. There was only ever one winner in the Antrim game, by all accounts the Waterford game was the game of the year but unfortunately I couldn’t make that one and the Roscommon game was a real team performance.” During Ann’s tenure as chairperson she has not pulled any punches when it comes to shaking things up. Three years at the helm has seen three different managers, Darren Boyle, Paula Cunningham and the current manager Lisa Woods. It hasn’t been easy this season though: “It was a tough league campaign but the young girls came in and some experienced players were late coming in but they’ve gelled together well. We needed that new blood and I felt that’s where we had let things slip. We were losing all our young players but Lisa has been able to hang onto them. She’s not afraid to say to the girls if they’re not performing. I’ve great confidence in the management. I think her experience as a teacher gives her the ability to keep the girls’ feet on the ground,” says Ann.

After last year’s narrow defeat at the hands of Tipperary in the All Ireland semi-final, eyebrows were raised when as somewhat unknown Lisa Woods was appointed as Cunningham’s successor.

However, it’s a results business and the appointment has paid off thus far, says Ann: “It did pay off. I couldn’t see how we would have had the numbers to compete the way we were going. Sometimes when you are close to the thing, it’s surprising what you see and hear. It was a big call but it paid off.” Sixty minutes now separate Fermanagh and their All Ireland destiny and while the Erne ladies have no divine right to win on Sunday 28th, Ann believes they can: “I think we have the measure of Down. If we put in the same performance we did against Roscommon and Waterford we can beat them. We’ve been crying out for an All Ireland for the last six or seven years. Ladies football was on the slide with a number of clubs amalgamating but this would give it a real boost if we could win; we need it,” says Ann.

Despite suffering two collapsed lungs as well as having eight ribs replaced earlier this year, all being well, Ann will be in Croke Park Sunday week. Admittedly, she has had to take a step back from the work involved in preparing a team for an All Ireland final and she is extremely grateful to Josie Boyle, Anna McKenna, Dearbhaile McHugh and Daphne Greene for the way they’ve left “no stone unturned” she says.

Trips to Croke Park are a rarity in Fermanagh and the Garrison woman is urging all the clubs, towns, villages and schools to get behind the girls: “Get the flags up and get as many to Croke Park as possible. Get behind the girls because there’s nothing as good as a good roar from your supporters to get you going. It’s no different to when the men were there in 2004, so we just urge everyone show their support.” Despite her collapsed lungs, Ann says she’ll be in full voice and “it helps to get the oxygen into them” she laughs.