Flanagan encouraged by Monaghan response thus far

Ladies football

New Monaghan Ladies senior football manager Enda Flanagan believes his side are well placed for the challenge ahead as they prepare to open their Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2 campaign against Tyrone Ladies this weekend.

Having taken charge over the winter, Castlerahan clubman and former Cavan senior footballer Flanagan says the early signs from his panel have been encouraging, with a strong buy-in from players throughout a demanding pre-season programme.

“Pre-season has gone well,” he said. “We’ve had a great reaction from all the girls who’ve committed to working really hard. They’ve learned a lot so far and we’re really looking forward to Sunday now.”

As with any new management set-up, Flanagan acknowledges there has been a natural bedding-in period as players and coaches get to know each other, but he feels recent challenge games have been invaluable in giving everyone an opportunity to stake a claim.

“Yeah, we’ve had a few challenge games and that’s allowed us to see all the girls, which is important,” he explained. “It gives everyone a fair chance. Sunday will be a good stepping stone as well and it’ll give us a strong gauge of where we’re at, because Tyrone will be very, very strong.”

Monaghan retained their Division 2 status last season, and Flanagan is under no illusions about the task facing his side in a league he describes as fiercely competitive from top to bottom.

“It’s seriously competitive,” he said. “There’s no game you can look at and say you’re definitely going to win it. Every match is going to be tight and there’ll be very little between teams. You’ll have to take your chances and work hard to get a good result on any given day.”

The Farney County begin their campaign with a run of home fixtures, something Flanagan feels could prove significant as the league unfolds, particularly in tight contests where momentum and energy can swing late on.

“I think we have four home games and three away games, and one of those away games is in Cavan, which we’re not too far from either!” he said with a smile.

“Hopefully the home crowd will come out and support us. That backing can really give the girls an extra percentage, especially in the last five or ten minutes of a game.”

Supporters heading to the opening round can also expect to see several new faces in the Monaghan line-up, with a number of players set to make their inter-county debuts under the new management.

“Yes, there’ll be a lot of girls making their inter-county debuts on Sunday,” Flanagan confirmed. “It’ll be interesting for them and for supporters to see them in action. They’re well fit for it and I’m really looking forward to seeing how they go.”

As is often the case at this time of year, Monaghan have had to contend with a number of injury issues during pre-season, though Flanagan believes it also presents an opportunity for others within the panel.

“Look, you’re always going to pick up injuries in pre-season,” he said.

“Bodies aren’t always where you want them to be at that stage. There are a few knocks and issues, but there are plenty of other girls ready to step in and, hopefully, they’ll take their chance.”

In terms of overall objectives for the season, Flanagan is keen to keep expectations realistic while building a strong collective identity within the group.

“The first goal is to gel as a team and see where that takes us,” he said.

“Our main objective is to stay in Division 2 and then we’ll take it from there.”

This season also sees a number of rule changes trialled across the ladies game, and Flanagan believes they will add to the spectacle, particularly from an attacking point of view.

“They take a bit of time to get used to, but they’re exciting,” he said. “The game is a lot more open and it suits attacking and skilful players. It’s going to be an exciting year.”

He expects those changes to translate into higher scores and a faster tempo overall.

“Definitely,” Flanagan added. “There’ll be higher scoring and more shots. The three-up rule and changes around the solo and go really speed the game up as well. It’s not going to be a huge adjustment for the players or the teams, but it will make the game more open.”

Leadership has also been finalised ahead of the new campaign, with Flanagan confirming his captaincy appointments for the year ahead.

“Rosemary Courtney from Donaghmoyne is our captain and Katie Treanor from Scotstown is vice-captain,” he said.

With league action about to get under way, Flanagan is eager to see how his side respond when competitive football begins, confident that the foundations laid over recent months will stand to them as the season unfolds.