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.
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First Henshaw now Carty great to see some Athlone lads starting to make a breakthrough
Best of luck to Jack Carthy, great to see Connacht fielding a young, all Irish back line.
Would love to see Jordi have a great game at 7 and get into 6 nations contention to fill the gap left by SOB. Will also be keeping a close eye on Henry and Tommy O’ D tonight
C’mon Connacht.
Exciting game ahead. Leinster will be scratching after last yrs result but Connacht will meet ye more than half way!!!!
FYI. You have only listed 14 starting players for Leinster. Devon Toner has become a one-man machine in the second row…
Scratch that, you have added Tom Denton.
I have. He just about caught the bus. Cheers.
Tom Denton catching something? What’s seldom is wonderful
Kirchner on the wing, hopefully he’ll spark some exciting back plays.
Murphy at 7 puts even more pressure on Henry and o’donnell
He’s only back from injury but I really liked the work rate and professionalism of o donnell last year! I think at the moment if have him and murphy ahead of Henry in the long run
I’d rather go to a funeral than watch a rugby match
In that case shouldn’t you read an obituary column instead of an article on rugby?
Paulie I’d say you depress everyone at a funeral
Give it to him Lizzy!
Right in his Walnuts!
Haha, if I thought he had some Robby I would but my guess is he’s all mouth and no trousers ;)
Nicely put Elizabeth, well said!
There something wrong in the system when the IRFU won’t give the appropriate funds to a team who funds an all irish backline but prefers to spend money on big name signings to boost another provinces profile. Then they are wondering why they are not unearthing players to fill the roles of the retiring legends of the last few years? Connacht could be a good conveyor belt for Ireland in areas that are been missed, just look at Athlone.
Both Munster and Leinster are producing massive amounts of Irish players and ulster have brought some through too. To say spending money on overseas players is a waste is just wrong.
Players like Isa and rocky done so much for Leinster
As did dougie and him Williams for Munster and all these young ulster backs
I assume you’re referring to the same Connacht who are the only province not restricted by the IRFU’s stringent new rules on overseas recruitment & who boast more overseas players in their squad than any other province? Change the record. We’ve all heard this tune before
Del. We have relatively few non-Irish players and more and more of our squad is IQ. In face more and more of our squad is Connacht academy.
The reason why Connacht is not bound by the overseas rule is because the IRFU implicitly want Connacht to be a development province. They are not explicit about it because it annoys everyone here but that is the reason. Hence Connacht IQ players can be moved to other provinces and they are told to shop abroad.
The first example of this was Macca. Granted Connacht did well to bring Clarke in, but it will not always work out that like.
Personally I would much prefer Connacht to be properly funded and have the same rules apply to us as the rest of the provinces.