Lidl National Football League Division One: Monaghan v Kerry (Sunday, Blanchardstown IT, 2pm)
MONAGHAN manager Ann Marie Burns knows the time is nigh to turn around a difficult start to the season for the Farney County.
Burns’ outfit will face Kerry in a rescheduled Division One clash on Sunday.
The game was originally scheduled for Grattan Park, Inniskeen on Sunday past as the curtain-raiser to a Monaghan / Kerry double header with their male counterparts but was postponed because of snow.
The Ulster side have lost both their league games so far in 2018 to Galway and Cork, by 10 and 16 points respectively, and although new manager Burns was realistic about the chances of getting anything out of those two away games, she acknowledges that now they need to start putting points on the board.
“I think that we were realistic enough looking at the first two games, both away from home. Galway were always on top in the first game and I don't think the scoreline against Cork was a fair reflection on our performance.
“In the second-half particularly, we put in a better performance,” said the former player.
“We need to start picking up points at some stage because the games are going in. Kerry will be a tight task again and the girls know they haven't performed yet to their ability but we are confident going into this game that we can get something from it. Right now it's about getting across that line.”
Kerry lost their opening game to Cork, going down by 14 points to the defending champions but they bounced back well the following week with an eight point win over Mayo.
Monaghan have spent an incredible 26 seasons, including this one, in the top flight of ladies league football.
They have seen many other teams come and go and in that time, they have won the Division One title four times, most recently back in 2010, and featured in a few other finals and many semi-finals. The last few seasons, have seen them keep their head above water and do enough to avoid relegation but that needed a play-off win against Armagh last year to do so.
Monaghan’s league record against Kerry is not good, although their championship record is, and they will need a championship performance if they are to get that elusive league victory over the Kingdom having fallen to them in the previous four meetings.
The Farney County’s struggles are certainly not because they do not have the personnel or the talent.
They might have lost Amanda Casey and Cathriona McConnell in recent years and are without Caoimhe Mohan, Laura McEnaney and Grainne McNally so far for 2018, but they still can rely on vastly experienced names.
Linda Martin, Sharon and Cora Courtney – whose sister Rosemary has also broken into the team – sisters Aoife and Ciara McAnespie and younger sister Eimear who too has been a first team regular, are ones to mention, while Therese Scott is back in after a year’s absence.
Josie Fitzpatrick, Muireann Atkinson, Rachel McKenna , Hazel Kingham, Joanne Courtney too are names that are household in Monaghan footballing circles, while Louise Kerley is an exciting prospect in the full-forward line and has been a part of Donaghmoyne’s provincial and All-Ireland successes.
“I do know a lot of the girls from down through the years but it will take some time for us to get us to them and vice-versa, for the players to get used to how we want to play and think. But it's the results that everyone will look at it we need to start getting some right results. It will be a fight to stay in Division One. There is no easy team but we have the fight and determination and I believe it is coming, we just need to put our heads down and ground out the results,” added Burns.
Division 1: Westmeath v Donegal (Sunday, Derrylin, 2pm)
DONEGAL will hope to pick things up where they were brought to a halt prematurely in their league meeting against Westmeath on Sunday past.
They were in control and leading by seven points with 15 minutes remaining when the game was abandoned due to snow and blizzard-like conditions.
Maxi Curran and Damien Devenney’s side had just shook off a resilient Westmeath team thanks to two quick-fire second half Eilish Ward goals.
Understandably when in a winning position, there is disappointment that the game had to be stopped but if they had been in a losing position, they would have been thankful for it.
They must go at it again but perhaps in a better position knowing their opposition’s specific threats. They will target the three points and they are vital as they aim to move their way up the table and not be brought into any sort of battle for survival.
Division 2: Tyrone v Tipperary (Sunday, Clanabogan Park, Drumragh Sarsfields, 2pm)
IT didn’t happen last weekend but Tyrone’s clash with Tipperary is as eagerly anticipated this weekend as last.
It has been scheduled once again for Drumragh Sarsfields and hopefully it will be third time lucky for the venue as last week’s game and the first league game against Waterford were unable to be played there because of the weather.
Tipperary were unhappy with the 500km round-trip and overnight stay they had to make and not a ball kicked but unfortunately, these things happen and if the shoe had been on the other foot, Tyrone would have been in the same position.
It’s a hard one to call – Tyrone have home advantage and that could be crucial, but do you play your full hand and go all out for the win and three points when both are already in good positions to secure a top four slot and could potentially meet again in the knockout stages.
Division 2: Sligo v Armagh (Sunday, St Mary’s Park, Ballydoogan, 2pm)
ARMAGH picked up their first league point with a draw against Cavan two weeks ago and should add to that tally against Sligo this weekend.
Again, this was one of two Division Two fixtures postponed from last weekend.
Sligo lost both their games so far and it is hard to see them getting anything from this one, despite being at home.
Armagh have had two tough games in rounds one and two against Tipperary and Cavan so this one, with no disrespect to Sligo, will certainly not be on the same level.
That said, Armagh will certainly not take their opposition for granted and yet another solid performance should see Fionnuala McKenna and Lorraine McAtamney’s side safely over the line and begin to make inroads up the table as they chase a semi-final spot.
FIXTURES
Sunday (2pm unless stated)
Division One: Monaghan v Kerry (Coolock, Dublin, 3.30pm), Westmeath v Donegal (Derrylin)
Division Two: Sligo v Armagh (St Mary’s Park Ballydoogan), Tyrone v Tipperary (Drumragh Sarsfields)
Division Three: Roscommon v Meath, Leitrim v Offaly
Division Four: Limerick v Wicklow
