Lurgan the team to beat in Ladies SFC

Ladies Football

The Keogan’s Imperial SFC begins this weekend with games on Saturday and Sunday. The format remains the same as in previous seasons, with 2024 runners-up Crosserlough drawn alongside Killygarry, Ballyhaise and Drumlane, while holders Lurgan are grouped with Lacken, Castlerahan/Denn and newly promoted Mullahoran.

After the group stages, the top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals.

The championship opens on Saturday evening with Killygarry hosting last year’s beaten finalists Crosserlough, now managed by Martin Cunningham. The Kilnaleck side will aim to bounce back from their narrow one-point defeat in last year’s final but must do so without Neasa Byrd (travelling) and Lauren McVeety (knee injury). They have been in strong form, topping Division 1 with six wins from seven games. Cavan captain Shauna Lynch is a key figure, supported by Christina Charters, Muireann Cusack, Aine Smith and Ciara Boylan.

Killygarry, who reached last year’s semi-final before losing 3-13 to 2-11 to eventual champions Lurgan, have been impressive under Barney Breen. Geraldine Smith has stood out for a side that finished third in the league and reached the semi-finals after a comprehensive quarter-final win over Gowna. Ally Cahill remains a pivotal player, with young talents Abbie Lovett and Mai Donohoe also impressing. In their league meeting earlier this year, Killygarry edged Crosserlough by a single point, handing them their only defeat to date.

The second Group A fixture sees 2023 Intermediate champions Ballyhaise at home to a struggling Drumlane. Drumlane, senior champions in the same year Ballyhaise lifted the IFC, are in transition after losing much of their starting team. They finished third in their group last season but have since lost stalwart Bronagh Sheridan among others.

Now managed by Padraic Sheridan, they endured a tough league campaign, losing all seven games and conceding their quarter-final due to player unavailability. Key players include county panellists Zara Fay, Micaela Fitzpatrick and Helen Corcoran, with Aoibhin Freehill and Tara McAnnenna also worth watching.

Ballyhaise, under new manager Brian Galligan from Cavan Gaels, have the quality to compete with the top senior sides. Galligan, joint manager of the Cavan U14 team that reached the 2024 All-Ireland final, leads a squad featuring standout player Ellie Brady and the returning Clodagh Clarke from injury. Joint captains Sinead Moore and Eimear Rudden anchor a strong defence, with youngster Doireann Brady one to watch. Both sides missed out on the knockout stages last year and will be eager to start strongly.

In Group B, Mullahoran begin their return to the senior ranks with a home game against last year’s semi-finalists Castlerahan/Denn. Manager Seanie Smith continues after guiding his club to county and provincial honours in 2024.

Captain Sheila Reilly leads a panel packed with county underage and senior players, including the Sheridan sisters, Fainche Higgins and Emilia Mussi, making them a strong contender for the knockout stages. Their opponents, Castlerahan/Denn, have also lost a large portion of their starting team, with notable absentees including Sophie Slowey, Emer Tierney and Christina O’Reilly. However, Eugene Hill’s side still has experience and talent through captain Roisin O’Reilly, the Fitzsimons sisters and Nomonde Majola.

Sunday’s final fixture pits old rivals Lurgan and Lacken against each other in Kingspan Breffni, a tie that rarely disappoints. Lurgan start as favourites after adding Edith and Clara Lynch to a squad that reached the Ulster final last year. Now managed by Fermanagh native Neil Quigley, the defending champions will be without star forward Emma Tolan, who has moved abroad for basketball. Catherine Dolan is expected to lead the attack with the Lynch sisters, while captain Eimear Corcoran, Sinead Kelly and Ciara Brady provide defensive strength in front of goalkeeper Evelyn Baugh. Lacken, six-time champions, are seasoned contenders under new manager Conor Gilsenan, who brings considerable experience.

They are boosted by the returns of Joanne Moore, Rosie Crowe McKeever and Shona King. The side reached the league semi-finals, with Erinn Galligan and Roisin O’Keeffe leading the attack and Lucy Crowe one of Cavan’s standout players this season. In last year’s championship meeting, Lurgan won 2-18 to 2-07, but a closer contest is expected this time.

Imperial Bar SFC Round 1 Fixtures

Group A

Killygarry v Crosserlough – Saturday 9 August, 7.30pm, Killygarry

Ballyhaise v Drumlane – Sunday 10 August, 1.30pm, Ballyhaise

Group B

Mullahoran v Castlerahan/Denn – Sunday 10 August, 11am, Mullahoran

Lurgan v Lacken – Sunday 10 August, 5pm, Kingspan Breffni