Sport

Armagh look to keep rolling while Farney aim to get going

Armagh's Aimee Mackin in action against Tyrone's Tori McLaughlin during their recent National League encounter  
Armagh's Aimee Mackin in action against Tyrone's Tori McLaughlin during their recent National League encounter   Armagh's Aimee Mackin in action against Tyrone's Tori McLaughlin during their recent National League encounter  

Lidl National Ladies’ Football League Division One

THERE are only two Division One games this weekend - Armagh welcome Monaghan and Tyrone host Galway in rescheduled fixtures from round one postponements.

They are two massive games for Ulster’s three top tier teams. Armagh are high in confidence following two wins from two, while Monaghan and Tyrone have both had difficult starts and are still looking for their first points.

Under Ronan Clarke, division newcomers Armagh already look to have consolidated their position in Division One for next season with victories over Tyrone and Kerry and they will go into Sunday’s game against Monaghan as favourites.

“I’m very pleased with how things have gone the first two games. The players have showed the right attitude and their hard work is paying off, but we need to keep the tempo up and the high work rate going,” said Clarke.

He knows Monaghan will not be easily dealt with and expects, as always when the sides meet, a keen contest: “It’s a derby game and Monaghan will be up for it. They will be looking for the points just as much as we are and it has the makings for a good game,” he added.

And although Armagh still have unbeaten Mayo, defending champions Cork, Dublin and Galway still to play, the semi-finals are certainly not out of the question: “Our first target was to consolidate our place in Division One, maintaining a good league position and league status," Clarke said. 

"Anything else after that is a bonus and it would be great experience if we were to make the semi-finals, but there are a lot of games still to be played. It would certainly build confidence in the team and show that they can compete at the highest level.”

For Monaghan manager Paula Cunningham, retaining Division One status is her highest priority and, despite defeats to Galway and Dublin, she maintains that target is still very much within reach: “The goal is to retain Division One status and I have every confidence in the players to achieve this objective,” she said.

“Armagh will be a tough game as they have been out training together much longer than we have, but we won’t lie down, we will give all for that Monaghan jersey on Sunday and we won’t look at the Tyrone game until the Armagh game is over,”

Last weekend’s defeat to Dublin was a tough day at the office for Monaghan but, as Cunningham says, you have to take the positives and build on them: “It has been a tough start to the league, as was expected unfortunately, but the players we have out are putting in a huge effort and I couldn’t ask for any more," she added.

“Sunday against Dublin was a tough day at the office, but we regrouped at training and we had a very positive session and we have put that to bed and we look forward to this weekend. Credit to Dublin, they were in excellent form and were almost at championship pace. But it is still only the second week of February - we have a long way to go.”

Tyrone are in a similar position to Monaghan and the game between the two on Sunday week looks like being crucial in the relegation stakes, but they may be boosted by the news this week that the county has been regraded to intermediate status for this year’s championship.

“Some might say you are better playing at the higher level, but look at the other counties like Armagh and Donegal, who took that decision to regrade and who are benefiting from it now,” said manager Gerry Moane.

“If you look at the results over the last couple of years, both in the league and the championship, it does not make for good reading. Sometimes you have to take a step back to move forwards and we want Tyrone to be back at that level being able to compete against the best teams in the county and hopefully everyone - the players and the clubs - will buy into that. It is about building for the future. We want to be where the Corks, Dublins and Mayos are, but sometimes you have to be honest too.”

Moane was only appointed to the position the week the league started and he admits it has been a tough start to 2016: “With such a new squad, you really know very little about your players,” said the Fermanagh man.

“Preparation certainly has not been ideal and, really, with each league game you are just learning about your team. It’s a massive learning curve and it certainly has been interesting. The players know each game is a challenge, but they look forward to that challenge and, by all accounts, they put on a very good display against Cork last weekend. 

“Galway will be a tough game on Sunday but, as I said, these girls are looking forward to these challenges. They want to be at that level and they meet each game head on and, for us, it is all about development and making steps in the right direction.”

NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES


Sunday (2pm)


Division One: Monaghan v Armagh (Pearse Og), Tyrone v Galway (Kilyclogher); Division Three: Fermanagh v Waterford (Bawnacre, Irvinestown); Division Four: Limerick v Carlow.