STORM CIARA GOT the better of their original big comeback, but the Cavan camogie side make their return to inter-county action this weekend after almost a decade out.
The Breffni were due to start their new chapter at Breffni Park against Limerick two weeks ago but instead, they do so by going head-to-head with Roscommon this afternoon [throw-in 1pm, Templeport St Aidan's GAA, Cavan].
Understandably, it was disappointing that their return was put on hold by circumstances out of their control, but the entire set-up is raring to go in their highly-anticipated Littlewoods Ireland Camgogie League Division 3 tie.
Westmeath native Jimmy Greville — who’s been involved with 2019 All-Ireland intermediate champions Westmeath under his brother, Johnny, and has managed successful Cavan club outfit Crosserlough — is the man at the helm of the 38-strong panel, with three Lake county selectors also on board.
Erinn Galligan, also of Crosserlough and a dual star who has lined out for the Cavan footballers for many seasons in the past, is captain of the county with nine clubs.
“It’s great to be back competing at inter-county level,” Galligan told The42. “It’s always an honour to represent your county and the standard of camogie players in Cavan is too high to not be competing on a national level.
“As well as that, it gives girls within the county the chance to better themselves by competing at that higher level and improve the standard of club camogie as a result.
“The lads have been very encouraging and positive since November. They have put in place a professional set up which is necessary nowadays at inter-county level and thankfully, every girl has bought into this and are reaping the rewards of their hard work.
“The camogie county board have left no stone unturned in our preparations for the year ahead and deserve massive credit for the enjoyment that each girl has gotten from the county set-up so far.”
With several dual players involved — star forwards Ciara Finnegan and Roisin O’Keeffe are among those also playing for the Cavan footballers this year — Galligan is pleased with the enthusiasm and commitment shown by everyone so far.
And of course, the standard.
“There is massive competition across the panel which is brilliant to see,” Galligan, who was part of the Cavan 2013 All-Ireland intermediate football championship-winning team, said.
“There will obviously be disappointment among girls who might not get a jersey on Saturday but every girl on this panel has a role to play in the success of the team. On any given day, any member of this panel could represent our team.
“Competition is stiff and each girl knows they need to keep working hard, one to 15, to represent the hard work that has been put in by the entire panel since November and this one to 15 will continuously change such is the competition for places.”
Although, they’re just setting out for competitive action again, their goals are firmly in place:
“The aim for the year would be to win the Nancy Murray competition which would find ourselves competing at the All-Ireland junior quarter-final stage, that’s were we want to be come August time but we will take each league game as it comes to start.
“We’ll take the pros and cons from each game, work on the negatives and approach each game with a new goal to improve upon.
“We’re all looking forward to Saturday, we just can’t wait to take to the field and put our markers down for the year, please God. And we will do everything in our power to try get across the line.”
After the challenge of Roscommon, Cavan travel to Tyrone on 8 March, Wicklow the week after and their final group game is at home to Offaly on 29 March. The rescheduled fixture with Limerick will have to be taken into account too.
Buy The42’s new book, Behind The Lines, here:
That Munster team should not be losing to that Cardiff team.
@The Irish Pain: also think the team hasn’t lost it’s way since Rassie left.
@The Irish Pain: ***has
And now we see why Keatley just isn’t of a good international standard. I understand he’s playing his best rugby this season but he isn’t at a high enough level for ireland or back up 10 to sexton. He wasn’t to blame for munster losing but he was anonymous for most parts and is still prone to errors at crucial times.
@Anthony Davoren: keatley issue is playing with that moron dunc the muppet.
@Shougeki: cool the jets with the abuse.
@The Irish Pain: yeah , no need for personal abuse but the half backs, all of them bar Murray obviously are sub standard if munster have any high end ambition going forward !!
@The Irish Pain: I dont mean to demean him as a man, and apologies if it came across as abuse but he has no right to be playing professional rugby. I honestly reckon sometimes we would be better off fielding 14 than having “dunc the bunk” on the pitch. He is dreadful. Only munster player i have thought would be better of they picked a randomer from the crowd.
@Shougeki: Best Fans In The World TM (c)
@Shougeki: keatley is just simply USELESS. He wouldent even make a school team & a Coward as well
@Murf: and Shougeki: You pair are an embarrassment to your club and Irish rugby
@Shougeki: Agree totally – reminds me of Tomas O’Leary, only worse.
@Causasua: he reminds you of a player selected to tour with the Lions having been a crucial member of a Grand Slam winning side?
As long as we persevere with Williams we are going nowhere. He is clearly not up to standard which poses the question what are his connections to the top of Munster rugby????? Useless against Zebre two weeks ago and the same tonight. Wouldn’t get near the starting line up of any other pro 14 team.
Dreadful.
@Munsterman: it was worse than dreadful!!!!
10 changes didn’t help. But 9 & 10 were very poor. Keatley’s kicking was shocking in the first half. Understandable that he’s released from Carton! Williams kicked all day to absolutely no effect, apart from gifting Cardiff a try & continuously giving them back possession. Poor leadership on the pitch. Game plan did not work for 75% of the game. Our panel is v weak as shown when our internationals are away.
@Paddy Murphy: panel is strong, it’s literally our halfbacks are the problem.
@thesaltyurchin: Bleyendaal is quality but you need a better 9 than Williams or Hart for sure.
You cant win rugby matches if you have a poor 9/10 , they contributed to 14 pts by errors
We should have killed them off when they had rees in the bin. Fair duce to Williams for his contribution but seriously we definitely have better scrum halves in the munster academy. Thought he slowed the game way down which played into Cardiffs hands at a time we should have killed them. We got 1 point when 5 points were there for the taking
@Kenneth O Connor: What’s the story with James Hart? only getting 10 mins in game like this suggests he’s not rated at all
@Sean Mannion: last time he got a run he was worse than Williams. We need Strings 2.0 (kid a Connacht with a bullet pass)
@Sean Mannion: yeah, what is the story with Hart? Can anybody comment – is Willians a better option or what’s happening there?
Dreadful watching. Really unimaginative tactics and sloppy execution, still trying to maul win games, and with the same problems at 9 and 10 as 5 seasons ago its no wonder we can’t create anything outside, glad Keatley can crack a wry smile when it puts another one out on the full (are we allowed to talk about how crap he can be again now or still a no go?) at least Williams is gone at the end of the season, you could make a cup of tea in the time he has at the back of a ruc, and it’s still not enough. Ref way off on Cronin, Cardiff deserve the win tho. Least we got a losing bonus I suppose.
@thesaltyurchin: where have you seen that Williams is gone at the end of the season?
@Jim Demps: Word on the street.
@thesaltyurchin: didn’t he sign a new contract recently?
@thesaltyurchin: whats the story with james hart?
@Johnny A: Slept with the wrong persons wife presumably!
@thesaltyurchin: I thought he signed a new contract
@thesaltyurchin: Williams has a new 2 yr contract
So incredibly blunt in attack it’s ridiculous. There’s not the slightest bit of creativity there at all, which lead to them constantly kicking the ball away. No evidence of back moves or anything. Dreadful. The defense in the first half was also shocking.
Williams not good enough. Poland did well last week when he came on. Harte also not at the races. Keats is a confidence player, one wheel comes off they all come off. Not one of his better games but others didn’t cover themselves in glory either. Ref had a howler too though. Missed knock on for 1st try and awarded penalty against Cronin for a legit steal. 10 points. Did I say Williams isn’t good enough.
People need to manage their expectations a little bit. Sure we should be beating Cardiff but these blips happen in a season. Especially when you’ve changed your head coach mid season. There has been a huge amount of turmoil over the last 2 years and for me the players have been doing exceptionally well given all that has gone on. For me a successful season will be making a semi in the champions cup and the same in the pro 14. Anything beyond that will be a great season. From there van graan can build during the off season.
Duncan Williams masterclass