Ladies focusing on themselves ahead of Mayo clash

LGFC news

Paul Fitzpatrick

After a whirlwind start to the season which saw them pick up three prized scalps before sustaining two losses, the Cavan senior ladies side are back in action this Saturday as they take on Mayo in the first round of the All-Ireland SFC group stage in Markievicz Park, Sligo (throw-in, 2pm).

And while Cavan’s form has dipped a little, they are still in a good place going into this clash, according to captain Laura Fitzpatrick.

“We had a great campaign in the league, we had three excellent wins from the start which was absolutely fantastic. It was just such a pity that in the semi-final we just didn’t do ourselves justice, the performance slipped a little bit and unfortunately we came out on the wrong end of the result,” said the St Finbarr’s defender.

“We did come back out for the Ulster Championship and had a great start against Donegal, we put up a great fight against them but a few goals went their way and they came out winners. After the defeat to Meath [in the NFL semi-final], there was a short turnaround, we only had a week to recover so it was hard to get the bodies and the minds right and prepare for an Ulster Championship game the following weekend.

“In fairness the girls responded really well, it was a pity we didn’t get over the line but we have had a great start to the year, it’s going well.”

The wins over Monaghan, Armagh and Tyrone in the league represented a serious statement of intent from Cavan, under new manager Gerry Moane, and they will lock horns with two of those again in the All-Ireland group stage.

“We have Mayo, Armagh and Monaghan in our group so we are playing two of the teams we have already played. Yes, we won both of them but when you’re coming into championship, it’s a totally different ball game.

“We have had two very good performances though and we’ll definitely be banking them to help us coming into the next few weeks in the championship.

“Mayo are an incredible side and they have been for a number of years but that’s who you want to be playing so we are definitely looking forward to it coming into this weekend. They have had a good run in the league and playing in Division 1 will help them too obviously but we are looking forward to it, that’s who you want to pit yourself against.

“We have some great forwards to contend with, some big names but this management has always put a massive emphasis on focusing on Cavan so heading into the weekend that’s what we will do.

“We will definitely keep watch on those girls we have to but our priority will be to keep our focus on Cavan. That’s what the management have been wanting us to do and it’s working out for us.”

Laura is enjoying her football at present and says the Cavan camp is a very happy one.

“It’s great, there’s a lovely positive energy and atmosphere among the whole panel this year. We have a huge panel this year as well, that brings its own positivity as well into the group and in fairness the boys have been fantastic. Everybody is working really hard and there is a lovely positive atmosphere I suppose.

“And when there’s a positive atmosphere, that’s when you enjoy your football and play your best. It’s a lovely positive camp at the minute which is great.”

Cavan have had to cope with the absences of stalwarts Aisling Maguire and Donna English this season but the team captain has been impressed by how others have stepped up.

“They are absolutely fantastic players and have offered such a wealth of knowledge to Cavan over the past number of years so they are a massive loss to Cavan but it’s fantastic to see the younger girls who have maybe been training with them for the last few years starting to grow into their roles, which is wonderful. It’s lovely to see that coming through and it’s testament to those girls that have left the panel and retired that they have trained them up to be able to do that.”