TG4 LGFA All-Ireland Junior Final Preview

By: Niall Kelly

With five of Antrim’s starting line up from the 2021 All-Ireland Final having stepped away from the panel this year, management have looked to their young guns to make their mark. Bainisteoir, Emma Kelly, has been delighted with the impact that this injection of youthful exuberance has had on the team and hopes this will go in their favour.

“The five that started last year that have since stepped away since had their own genuine reasons. Ciara Brown had a little one, Maeve Blaney was in Scotland doing her degree and then Emma Ferran was down South with her studies and then went travelling so it wasn’t like they just didn’t want to play anymore. The chances are that they could all be back next year which would make places and positions even more competitive.”

“The underage ones who have come in have slotted in exceptionally well. The likes of Sarah O’Neill, just sixteen and she’s just slotted in there as if she’s been there all her life. There is a brilliant mix and blend. There’s four Glenravel girls there and they’ve never really had ones in an and around the squad before and this is their first proper year at it so it’s great to see.”

“But everyone has just pushed on in the whole squad and we probably have a stronger squad this year. There will be others stepping out of minor next year too and that’s a good thing. You want competitiveness in the squad, for every training session to be competitive. There’s a good intensity in training and the tackles are flying in. It is just great to have that strength in depth. Antrim, yes, we might be in Junior Football but we do have a lot of talented clubs and players.”

With the likes of Cathy Carey playing her fifth final and in her twentieth year of county football, Kelly has a lot of experience at her disposal running through the spine of the team. This experience has been invaluable in bedding in the youngsters and setting standards.

“We have experienced players too from Moneyglass and St Pauls which have really helped as they know how to win. They know how to manage games and just as important they’ve a calmness and know not to panic. They help bring the younger ones along with them. They bring an added intensity to training as well and raising expectations for everyone. We always say if you can improve the person next to you 1%, then we’re all going in the right direction. We want to drive each other one

The panel have been boosted by the returns of Lara Duhansi who adds drive and intensity in the engine room and Moneyglass native Orlaith Prenter who’s potent eye for scores have brought success.

“Orlaith has been brilliant this year and really consistent too. She’s been running around training selling dummies and having a laugh. Lara has added to the squad too something shocking having returned from injury missing a large part of the season. She hasn’t got playing against Fermanagh in any of the games this season so she’ll bring another problem for them.”

Antrim will go into Sunday’s match up eager to reverse the fortunes of last year decider but it certainly seems Kelly believes she has the squad to do it. Best of luck to all the girls and we wish them every success!