Ulster Club Ladies’ SFC semi-final
Clann Eireann (Armagh) v Moneyglass (Antrim) (Sunday, Clann Eireann Park, 2pm)
MONEYGLASS have their sights set on back-to-back Ulster final appearances but Clann Eireann stand in their way, the Armagh champions with their own final ambitions.
This is another semi-final that could go either way, with both teams very much believing they have the quality and character to come out on the right end of the result.
Having reached last year’s final, narrowly missing out on the title to Donaghmoyne, the Antrim champions have already dethroned the holders, defeating Donaghmoyne in the quarter-finals 2-8 to 1-7, Orlaith Prenter with 1-6 of her side’s total.
That should put them in as favourites for the game, but with Clann Eireann at home that leaves it a pretty level playing field.
Clann Eireann, however, have not been able to make any great inroads in the provincial competition in the years they have been crowned Armagh champions and this is their first semi-final appearance since 2017, but they are just one step away from an Ulster final and as captain Niamh Henderson says, they are coming into the game fully focussed and full of belief.
“We have the belief that every player in our team is going to work so hard and we know player for player we can take anyone. We are really just focusing on ourselves, focusing on our game plan, focusing on our belief and going in with no fear and it’s anybody’s on the day and our management have been great,” said Henderson.
“We know how good Moneyglass are. Even the fact they beat Donaghmoyne says a lot about them. We played them in a challenge game a few months ago. They are fit and they are fast, but we are going well, going in confident, focused and ready. We have been training really, really hard; everyone is fit and flying, so we really can’t wait to Sunday.”
Clann Eireann defeated Cavan champions Drumlane 5-8 to 0-6 in the quarter-final, Meabh McCambridge with a first half hat-trick.
While there was certainly cause for celebration after ending the champions’ reign, focus quickly turned to Clann Eireann and the semi-final, said captain Cathy Carey.
“As soon as last weekend was done and dusted, the focus was shifted onto the semi-final and Clann Eireann. The girls are ready for another game again and looking forward to another big match,” she said.
Carey is expecting a titanic tussle with so much at stake but knows they have what it takes to get over the line and it’s about balancing their own game plan with counteracting Clann Eireann’s threats.
“As much as we have been working on our own game, we are very aware of the threat Clann Eireann will be bringing. I can’t imagine it being anything other than a tight, hard fought game for both teams.”
