‘We’re not finished yet’ says Charters as minor ladies eye All-Ireland glory

Ladies football

As the last Cavan team left standing in inter-county championship action this year, the Cavan minor ladies are preparing for an All-Ireland semi-final clash with Cork this evening (7.30pm, Banagher) and manager Gerry Charters believes his side are exactly where they deserve to be.

“To still be playing football at this time of year is the most important thing,” Charters said.

“You talk to the U14s and U16s and they’re disappointed their seasons are already over. That could be the case for us after Thursday too, but if you want it badly enough, it’s there for you.”

Cavan’s rise in underage ladies football has been well documented. Once considered outsiders, they’ve now firmly established themselves as a force at national level, winning multiple Ulster and All-Ireland titles. That shift brings new challenges, most notably, pressure and expectation.

“For years, we were the underdogs. Now we’re at the top of the pile and everyone wants to beat you,” Charters admitted.

“It’s even been hard to get challenge matches this year, teams don’t want to play you. I’m not saying that in a cocky way, but that’s just where we’re at now. It’s a good complaint. For a long time we were bottom of the pile, so we’ll take this.”

‘Nothing is nailed down’

That level of success can often lead to complacency, but Charters and his backroom team have worked hard to ensure standards don’t slip. With a panel brimming with talent, including ten players boasting five Ulster A medals and two All-Ireland medals apiece, competition for places remains fierce.

“We’ve chopped and changed a lot this year. Everyone’s had a bite at the cherry. Just this week we told the girls there are 15 starting spots up for grabs on Thursday. With injuries and everything else, nothing is nailed down. There are five sessions left before the game, and any of them could play their way into the team.”

Charters doesn’t hide the fact that team selection is no easy task.

“It’s a headache,” he smiled, “but a good one. You’re picking from the best of the best. These girls have achieved so much already, and they’re still hungry.”

Since their Ulster final win over two months ago, preparations have continued without much of a break, a testament to the squad’s commitment.

“We only took one night off after the final,” he explained.

“There were girls doing exams, others working, so we just kept things ticking over. They know the level expected of them.

“We set targets at the start of the year, or rather, they did, and we’ve them posted in the dressing room. They see them every time they come in or go out.

“That’s their drive.”

One of those goals, retaining the Ulster title, was achieved in impressive fashion, with Cavan going unbeaten in the competition.

“The final was probably our toughest game,” said Charters. “I don’t know if it was complacency or the unknown factor of the opposition, but the girls still delivered when it mattered.

“On some of those days, they really brought their A-game.”

Focus

Now their focus turns to Cork, a side Cavan haven’t faced recently at minor level, but one who carry serious pedigree of their own.

“We don’t know a huge amount about them, to be honest,” Charters said. “Some of our girls played against Cork at U16 level two years ago, drew the first day, beat them the second. And a few of the Cork girls were on the team that beat Loreto earlier this year. They definitely won’t be a pushover.”

While Cavan go in as defending champions and favourites in many eyes, Charters is wary of complacency, especially given the fine margins that often decide big games.

“We’ve talked a lot about work rate and shot selection,” he noted. “The girls know what it takes, most of them have played in more finals than I have. You can’t assume anything. Look at the seniors last week, one kick of a ball, one decision, and it was all over. These games can be decided by inches.”

That senior loss, a heartbreaking defeat to Westmeath, has served as a reminder for the minors of what’s required.

“It was disappointing to see,” Charters admitted. “When you’re that close and it slips away at the end, it’s tough. You’ve to play for the full 60 minutes. You need to be scoring 65% of your chances to win games like this. Mistakes will come back to bite you.”

With a talented group, strong preparation, and lessons learned, Charters is hopeful, but grounded.

“We’re in a great place, but the work isn’t done yet.”