‘We’re back to where we always wanted to be’- Byrd
- Aideen Coyle -
Crosserlough ladies have been one of the leading sides in Cavan ladies football for the last number of years and as a club have enjoyed some incredible success since re-establishing a ladies team back in 2016.
In 2017, they defeated Arva/Killeshandra in the IFC final and for the next four seasons would feature in the senior county final.
Their first year in senior, 2018, they lined out in the decider against Lurgan, losing on that occasion. In 2019 they captured their club’s first ever senior ladies county title and repeated the feat in 2021 against Lurgan.
However, the last two seasons have been somewhat unexpected with the side exiting at the semi-final stages in both campaigns at the hands of Killygarry and Drumlane respectively. Crosserlough captain Neasa Byrd has been an integral member of the club’s success and reflects on the years gone past.
“We’re absolutely buzzing, it’s our first final since 2021. Since 2017 we were always in a final so the last two years have been very tough. Look, we probably took getting to a final for granted and now it feels extra special to be in the final after two years of getting knocked out in the semi-final.
“In 2017 we won the intermediate final and in our first year up we got beaten by Lurgan. To come up against opposition like Lurgan was tough and we learned a lot from that year. We went on to win two finals since that, beating Lurgan in 2021 and Mullahoran in 2019.”
Ladies football at all levels in the county has become more competitive, skilful and played at a faster pace and at a higher quality.
The former Cavan ladies captain reflects on how ladies football has evolved and changed in just a short space of time.
“The game has changed a lot too, the standard has definitely improved, the physicality as well, you saw that in some of our games and even the pace of the game too. The intensity in our own trainings has changed completely.
“This year we have the addition of Mark Stuart, past Crosserlough player who has a senior medal [to the management] and Jane Browne, she’s a past Oldcastle ladies winning captain. To have two players who have played the game so recently is unreal. Someone like Mark, he’s brought a lot from what the Crosserlough men were doing to our trainings. To have someone like that to look up to and listen to at trainings has been brilliant. Along with Fergal, our manager, and Packie Shalvey as well.”
With two Cavan Senior Football Championship medals already on her CV, Crosserlough’s commanding full-back beams with pride when asked about leading her side into battle next Saturday in Kingspan Breffni.
“It’s unreal. Last year was my first year to captain Crosserlough at senior level. So that was a real honour and obviously to get knocked out at the semi-final stages last year was so disappointing. There was probably a lot of nerves going into the game with Castlerahan/Denn because in the back of your head you’re thinking, ‘God is this going to be third time that were going to fall at the semi-final stages?’.But to get to the final now and be captain is just unreal.”
The side put in a huge second half performance to run out 2-12 to 0-7 winners over their neighbours in the last four meeting.
“We were against the wind in the first half and I think we all knew if we were able to stay with them against the wind that we would be able to push on in the second half. It wasn’t probably pretty, some of the first-half performance, but we just knew ourselves what we had to do in the second half’ said Byrd
‘We went back to the way we usually play, move the ball fast through the hands. Quick ball into the forwards because that’s our real threat, our forward line. We just did that and once we got the first score after half-time, we settled and started to play the way we know we can play.”
While having huge confidence in her side’s ability, Byrd is under no illusions. Saturday’s final will be a tough test as they come up against formidable and familiar opponents in Lurgan.
“Looking to the final, we know we have a big challenge ahead of us. Lurgan are an exceptional team. They’re probably very similar to ourselves. They’re young, move the ball fast, and I do think the final is set up to be a cracker. Lurgan like to win finals and are good at winning finals so we know that it’s a big challenge.’
The Kilnaleck woman has been a household name in Cavan ladies football since making her senior county debut in 2016 against Kildare. She since then held down a regular starting position, became captain of the side back in 2019 and more recently in 2023 before taking a well-earned break from inter-county action this season, something which has massively aided her club.
“I’ve obviously enjoyed all my years with Cavan but this year has been different. Probably building on not making a final last year and the year before that. It was nice to get back to club level and really focus on what we had to do and get back to a final. Having myself and Shauna Lynch and Muireann Cusack and Lauren McVeety back training every single night has been a massive boost.
“It’s lovely to be able to be there and push girls on. I suppose you’re a constant person there this year, when you’re playing county you’re jumping in and out.
“I definitely have loved this year and it’s probably been one of my most enjoyable years with the club. You know, we haven’t won anything yet, please God we do, but its been very enjoyable.’
“We’re back to where we always wanted to be. We met at the start of this year, we said we have to get back to a senior final but that’s not going to happen unless we take each game as it comes.
“We’ve been very focused and we haven’t looked past the games that’s been ahead of us. So far everything has worked out,” concluded the Cavan Town-based primary schoolteacher.