'Team, team, team' – Farrell hails Gaels’ unity after final win

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Damien Donohoe

Cavan Gaels joint manager Finian Farrell has experienced plenty of big days in football, but guiding his own club to an Ulster Ladies Junior Championship title, with his daughter starring on the pitch, ranks right at the top.

Beaming in the aftermath of the Gaels’ superb win over Monaghan champions Killeevan, Farrell didn’t try to hide what the moment meant.

“Absolutely, when it’s your own club, you know yourself, it’s just unbelievable,” he said. “The performance as a team, as a unit, was just out of this world. The quick hands, the long ball into the forwards, doing the simple things right… very few mistakes. Ball handling was excellent.”

It was a display defined by cohesion, energy and that trademark Gaels spark in the big moments.

While Katie O’Meara and Katie Leddy’s goals and Laura Lynch’s kick-outs caught plenty of eyes, the manager’s pride came from the collective effort woven through every line of the field.

“The work rate was outstanding, from corner back to corner forward,” he said.

“They knew what they had to do against a very good Killeevan team to get over the line, and they did. Got the goals at the right time, and goals win matches, especially at this time of year.”

Killeevan posed a very real physical threat, particularly through their dangerous full-forward, but Gaels’ defensive structure never buckled. Their ability to deal with high, testing deliveries in the opening half proved decisive.

“We knew their number 14 (Karyn McGinn) was a very good player, she showed that today,” Farrell said. “So we put Niamh in behind her as well. The two on her did the job.”

That dual marking system was matched by discipline across the entire line.

“The back line was very strong, very tenacious on the tackle. They didn’t give away too many frees. Just playing as a unit, that’s what it’s all about.”

Farrell was particularly pleased with the calmness shown under pressure, especially given how often Killeevan tried to disrupt Gaels with direct, aerial ball early on.

While defence built the platform, the Gaels’ young forwards supplied the sparkle. Talent, confidence and fearlessness combined in a display that offered a glimpse of what could be a golden era for the club.

Two standout performers were Katie Leddy and Katie O’Meara, lifted the scoring load to deliver on the provincial stage.

“They have a fantastic future in front of them and they’re not afraid to go for their scores,” Farrell said proudly.

But he emphasised that the young forwards weren’t out there on their own.

They were guided by experience, and serious quality, around them.

“You have Laura Galligan, you have Ciara Farrell kick-passing into them,” he said. “You feed them, you give them enough ball, they’ll do damage, and they did.”

Again, the conversation always returned to the theme that defined this group.

“The whole forward line playing as a unit, same as defence, same as midfield. That’s what it’s all about. It’s all about team, team, team.”

Farrell believes this Ulster success didn’t just come from talent, it came from development, depth and lessons learned from past campaigns.

“They’ve matured. They’re a year older, a year wiser,” he said.

“We got a few new players in this year as well, and we brought in a number of our younger players.”

The significance of having a large, competitive panel wasn’t lost on the management team. In previous seasons, training numbers forced compromises.

“Other years our panel was small, you’re playing eight or nine a side in training,” he explained.

“Then come match day you have to play 15 a side, completely different game as you know.”

This year was different. Numbers were strong, competition for places was fierce, and sessions looked like matches.

“A big panel meant we were able to play 15-on-15 in training and that’s hugely important,” he said. “It makes a massive difference.”

For now, Cavan Gaels can celebrate a remarkable achievement for a team only beginning to show its potential.

“There is another semi-final at home against the Kerry champions in two weeks’ time,” Farrell said.

“We look forward to that. We’ll celebrate tonight, and then we’ll start thinking about Kerry in the morning.”