Lidl Ladies’ NFL Division Two
A NEW venture by Tyrone Ladies’ County Board to hold their home league games this year at different venues around the county in a bid to attract more support for the seniors will hopefully see the players get the support they deserve, says manager Sean O’Kane.
With five of their seven Division Two games at home, including the first four, the team will begin their campaign in Naomh Eoghan, Newtownstewart against Westmeath on Sunday.
That will be followed by a double-header with their male counterparts at O’Neill’s Healy Park on January 28, Tipperary the visitors.
Moortown will then host Monaghan in an Ulster derby, while Aghaloo is the venue for their game against Laois on February 18.
The last home game, in between away trips to Donegal and Cavan, takes place in Beragh against Kildare.
“Hopefully this venture will generate a bit more support, the girls need and deserve to be supported and this is a great opportunity. If we can match that up with wins on the field that will also hopefully gather up more support as well,” said O’Kane.
O’Kane knows the importance of making the most of his side’s five home matches.
“We have no excuses with our league fixtures and we need to make that count. Last year we were down in Tipperary and Laois, this year, our two away games are Donegal and Cavan, which don’t involve much travelling at all, so that has also worked well for us.”
Tyrone defeated Westmeath, 2-13 to 1-12, in one of their three league victories, when they sides met in Mullingar last year.
While O’Kane sees Tipperary and Kildare as the favourites for the league title, he knows Westmeath will be tough opponents on Sunday and the points, even on the first day, are vital.
“I see Tipperary and Kildare as the main challengers for the Division Two title over the rest of the teams, and that is no disrespect to any of the other counties. I feel they are just at another level and are building on what they have put in place over the last couple of years.
“Westmeath are well organised, they are fit, hard to break down and under Frank Burns, who was over Mayo, they will be structured and have a way to play.
“With three points up for grabs for the win, that is a huge incentive. A draw and that’s two points dropped, so getting the win and the points can lift you well up the table.”
O’Kane has drafted in several minor players and while he too, like many managers, has experienced the drop off of players for various reasons, he his happy where they are as the opening day of the season approaches.
“Five or six minors from last year have come up into the senior squad, they are blending in well, and they don’t look out of place.
‘’We have had a few retirements, a few players not able to commit because of work commitments but it’s the same for every county.
‘’Ladies’ football is like that and there is a big turnover and that’s something that you need to be prepared for and try and keep on top of it.
‘’But, we are happy with how pre-season has been going. We have had few challenge games against Fermanagh, Queen’s and Armagh, and we have been able to take a lot away from these.
‘’We are starting now with no injuries, we struggled a lot last year with players out injured, so that has been a positive. Sunday will tell the tale though and we will see where we really are.”
Tyrone’s fixtures
Round one
Sunday, January 21 Westmeath (h)
Round two
Sunday, January 28 Tipperary (h)
Round three
Sunday, February 11 Monaghan (h)
Round four
Sunday, February 18 Laois (h)
Round five
Sunday, March 3 Donegal (a)
Round six
Sunday, March 17 Kildare (h)
Round seven
Sunday, March 24 Cavan (a)
