Football

Paul Crozier: Derry can claim ladies football knockout spot

Ladies Football: National League Division Four

DERRY manager Paul Crozier believes there is no reason why the Oak Leafs cannot claim a knockout spot in this year’s Division Four semi-finals.

For many years now, Derry’s league record has been unimpressive.

They have failed to contest or even push for a semi-final spot, finishing second from bottom or bottom of the table in the last half dozen years or so.

But in the last couple of years, their league form has had no bearing whatsoever on championship form with two successive Ulster final appearances to land a first provincial junior title last year in 10 years and an All-Ireland junior final appearance in 2017.

Where Derry once struggled with long term plans because of frequent change in management personnel and turnover of players they now look to be a more settled outfit and with that cohesion and balance they are now in a position where they can fight for a top four finish.

“We have used the league the last few years to prepare for championship but with more stability now and more continuity among the players and the management, we are aiming to take the league more seriously this year. There is no reason why we cannot target a top four place and a semi-final spot,” said Crozier.

“Everything has been going well so far. There is a good buzz and we have good numbers out playing.

“We have built up a good nucleus over the last couple of years and we have added to our squad with new faces coming in such as Kayleigh Fleming, who was outstanding last year for Faughanvale in their Ulster club run, and Orla McEvoy from the minors, as well as a few players Grace Conway and Nuala Browne returning from injury last year and Annie Crozier who is back from Australia.”

With a first round game away to Fermanagh there is plenty of incentive to get their league campaign up and running with a elusive victory over their Ulster counterparts, who denied them Ulster and All-Ireland junior glory in 2017.

“The self-belief is there now among the players were it had been missing for a long time and the core of our team has been developing and building now for three years. We want to retain our Ulster title this year and get back to Croke Park.

“We are looking forward to starting off the league against Fermanagh. There are some old scores to settle against them and there is no greater motivation than that and hopefully we can put it to good use.”

2019 Derry Division Four fixtures

Round 1 Sunday 3 February – Fermanagh v Derry

Round 2 Sunday 10 February – Leitrim v Derry

Round 3 Sunday 24 February – Derry v Carlow

Round 4 Sunday 3 March – Derry v Kilkenny

Round 5 Sunday 17 March – Derry v Antrim

Round 6 Sunday 24 March - Derry v Limerick

Round 7 Sunday 7 April – Louth v Derry