‘I wouldn’t underestimate us against Cavan’
Roscommon intermediate ladies' football manager, Finbar Egan, has vowed that his side will produce a much better performance against Cavan than they did during the recent Connacht final. Picture: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Roscommon intermediate ladies’ football manager, Finbar Egan, has vowed that his players will give a better account of themselves than they did against Leitrim in the recent Connacht final when they open their TG4 All-Ireland intermediate football championship campaign away to Cavan at Kingspan Breffni Park on Sunday, May 31st (throw-in at 2 p.m.).
With their second fixture of the group stage at home against Down on Sunday, June 14th, current form suggests that Roscommon — who weren’t in the promotion picture in Division Three — will have their work cut to finish in the top two.
But following the team’s chastening 22-point defeat to Leitrim, Egan highlighted that honesty has been at the heart of the analysis that followed his side’s Connacht final showing.
“We didn’t perform to anything what the players are capable of, they didn’t show how good they actually are. Leitrim played exceptionally on the day, we’ll probably never play that badly again,” summarised Egan.
“It wasn’t that individual errors went badly on the day. Things went wrong from the start, and it continued to go downhill. We couldn’t score, they couldn’t miss, and we gave the ball away too often, which doesn’t help,” he continued.
But the Roscommon manager praised the reaction of his players in the aftermath of that defeat.
“A lot of those girls are extremely committed to Roscommon and have given multiple years of service to the county. The defeat (against Leitrim) would have hurt them badly.
“We're going to find out soon enough how good we are, and I expect us to put in a big performance in the next two matches,” remarked Egan.
The first of those two games comes against a Cavan team on the crest of a wave. The Breffni ladies secured promotion to Division One of the National Football League, losing just once earlier this season.
They backed their successful league campaign up by capturing the Ulster ladies’ intermediate title following an extra-time victory over Monaghan. Consequently, Egan is acutely aware of the threat the reigning Ulster champions pose.
“Cavan are a serious outfit. Monaghan are a very good side and they beat them in the Ulster final. They also beat Down, who are in our group, in the semi-final. There are a lot of good teams in Ulster.”
Alongside a reinvigorated mentality in training is the ever-growing depth Egan has at his disposal, with a number of high-profile players returning to fitness following injuries.
Ria Lennon played from start to finish in a challenge game last week, Róise Lennon has also returned to full fitness alongside Lauren Shanagher, who played through a knock against Leitrim. Kate Nolan is back running and may play a part later on in the championship.
Despite a few fresh injury concerns, such as Grainne Lohan, who was forced off at half-time against Leitrim, the returning players will add a level of depth that Egan hasn’t had at his disposal in an injury-ravaged year.
“We should be even stronger than we were against Leitrim. It has been the nature of this year — we’ve just been crippled with injuries.
“The girls who are coming back are all good players. They're strong additions and they will be looking to get into the starting team, which will strengthen the whole set-up.”
The combination of his players’ strong mentality and the return of a number of key players has Egan feeling positive ahead of this Sunday’s clash.
“I wouldn’t underestimate us against Cavan.
“I think if we play up front like we’re capable of it, we’re in with a big shout. Our forwards didn’t click the last day against Leitrim, but, since then, they have gone on to play better. Things are going well for them and the returning players will be a big help,” he concluded.
