Ladies Gaelic Football

8 // Ladies Gaelic Football Association GALWAY'S MAIREAD SEOIGHE PEIL Summer | Issue No 2 | Volume 14 here's a feel good factor in Galway ladies football and Stephen Glennon's second campaign in charge could be the one where the Brendan Martin Cup finally goes back West again. It has been a long wait for Galway, they haven't captured the ultimate prize since 2004, but a positive Lidl National Football League campaign was followed by a powerful defeat of Mayo in the Connacht final. Galway only won by 0-17 to 1-12 against their biggest rivals at MacHale Park in Castlebar on 24 June. But it was the manner of that victory and the confidence within that camp that suggests a more potent and dangerous unit. Forward Mairead Seoighe (25) scored three points that day, and she knows the squad have a completely different mindset in the TG4 Ladies Football Championship this year. A year on from their disappointing 6-19 to 1-10 hammering by Cork in the All- Ireland quarter-final, Galway appear to be a much-improved outfit. "We have the ability to put our own stamp on things now. We have the ability to do it, the girls believe it, so why not do it. It's too long since we have won an All- Ireland," said Seoighe. From the Ashes of a 24 point Championship 2017 Exit... Have Galway rebuilt to become Serious Contenders? Daragh Small talks to Galway's Mairead Seoighe T "Losing like that to Cork was a wake-up call. It made us all reflect personally and as a group. If forced us to bring out the things we needed to work on and build on for this year and not make those same mistakes. "The championship layout this year is going to help us in that sense. We had a massive spread from the Connacht championship last year and when we came out against Cork. "They came at us like a train and we really had no competitive match for six weeks. That didn't help. This group phase is huge." Clonbur clubwoman Seoighe says that retaining Glennon for another year could be crucial to Galway's chances further into the championship. Galway were 3-12 to 1-8 winners against Mayo in the 2017 Connacht decider, but when they succumbed to a 24-point loss to Cork the pressure mounted. However Glennon and his management team stood firm and they have endeavoured to build a solid core that is capable of challenging the very best in Ladies Football. "We have been building on last year and the continuation of management has really helped push us on. It is easy to come back and start building on foundations that have already been built. Everyone's mentality is in the right spot and everyone is pushing and driving the group," said Seoighe. "Stephen is mighty. I don't know how he does everything that he does. He is a serious manager. Everything we need he will do his best to get it for us. He gets people together and always wants the best. He will look to get that out of you and always ask the right questions at the right time. "He's a great motivator. Even down to bonding weekends and all of that. They don't let us worry about things that management should have to worry about it. It's great. "Every game you play is a championship match now. Regardless of who you step out against between now and September it's going to be championship football. It has that intensity and it will bring that hunger for the panel which is super." Seoighe teaches junior infants at Newcastle National School outside Athenry in her native county, and hopes to enjoy her summer holidays in conjunction with a run deep into the All-Ireland championship. But despite a second consecutive Connacht final victory over Mayo complacency isn't part of psyche as Galway look for a first All-Ireland in 14 years. "There is great spirit and atmosphere in the group. But like that, when we got back training after the Connacht final win it was about pushing on," said Seoighe. "We can't be content with that win. There is a lot more at stake this year with the group stages and there is so much more on the cards than a Connacht title. It was super to get the win over Mayo. It was a good test to see where we were at. "Beating Mayo was a goal we set out at the start of the year but I wouldn't be just content with it. We want to achieve more. "We got a tough group. We don't under estimate anyone's ability we just take each games as it comes. In ladies football anything is possible so we just keep going." Roisin Flynn of Mayo in action against Mairead Seoighe of Galway

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