THE Kinawley ladies Manager believes the challenge his side overcame in reaching the Ulster Intermediate Final will stand them in good stead when they take on Steelstown on Saturday.

In testing conditions last week, Kinawley overcame Trillick to reach another Ulster Final as they look to finally get over the line after losses in recent years.

For Adrian Diver, the semi-final was a “total grind” but they will be the better for it.

“I was happy enough with our first-half performance to go in at half time level. I felt it was a really good platform to move along in the second half, and then just kick over points and keep them out, but I thought we were poor. We didn’t play particularly well with the wind.”

Luck was to play some part in the win with a poor free from Trillick ending up with Roisin O’Reilly scoring the decisive goal for Kinawley, and Diver felt it would be something like that which would separate the sides.

“We got a very fortuitous goal; there is no doubt about that. Often in these games when it is so tight and so defensive, it’s either a moment of genius or a mistake and it was kind of a bit of both there.

“They had a system that they thought was going to thwart us, and it nearly did, but getting over that kind of game will stand us in much better stead.

“Tough, hard games like that there is what you need going into a final.”

Going into the final, Diver is expecting another huge challenge from the Derry champions and he expects a similar battle to the semi-final.

“It’s going to be a total battle, there’s no doubt about that, and we need to make sure we come out on the right side, and that’s basically by working harder.”

With conditions due to be much the same, Kinawley have been working away on improving aspects of the game that weren’t up to the high standards they usually exhibit, and if they do this Diver knows they can come out on the right end of the result and finally be crowned Ulster champions.

Having lost a number of finals in recent years, Diver paid tribute to the resilience and consistency of his side, who have kept coming back for more.

“It’s excellent consistency from the girls to make four out of the last five finals. It shows the level they are at.

“Losing finals gives you experience ultimately, and particularly on Saturday it was experience that saw us through, and grinding down a real defensive team.

“We have that experience and that hurt I suppose from the last couple of finals gives you that energy and extra percentage to get over the line.”

For Diver, this is the most resilient bunch of players he has ever managed, and he hopes Saturday will see them get their just rewards.

“If we do get over the line it will be a testament to the resilience of the girls – they are probably the most resilient bunch I have ever managed. They do whatever it takes, and it is no mean feat to make three in a row.

“But sometimes you need to lose ones to win, and I am hoping that it is our turn this week.”