Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1141648
www.ladiesgaelic.ie | SPRING 2019 | 21 Preview CHAMPIONSHIP League to Championship Daragh Small looks back at players on the LIDL Teams of the Leagues to give us a list of 'ones to watch' for the 2019 Championship. TG4 SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP MARTHA BYRNE Named at corner-back in the Lidl Division 1 Team of the League, the Cuala star made her senior inter-county debut for Dublin in 2013, and has become a rock in their defence. Byrne has claimed two TG4 All-Irelands but missed out the chance to double up on her Lidl NFL Division 1 medals, when Cork beat Dublin in the semi- finals. Mick Bohan's side bounced back to claim the TG4 Leinster title and Byrne played all 60 minutes. HANNAH LOONEY Lidl Division 1 Team of the League full-back, the versatile Aghada defender burst onto the inter- county scene in recent years and after coming out on the wrong side of the result in last year's TG4 All-Ireland final against Dublin, she won her second Lidl NFL title when Cork beat Galway. Looney is a powerful presence and helped Cork to the TG4 Munster title last month. AISLINN DESMOND Kerry's 30-year-old Rathmore defender was named at full-back in the Lidl Division 2 Team of the League. She missed out on her second Lidl NFL title earlier this year, when Waterford were victorious in the Division 2 decider. But having also lost to Waterford in the TG4 Munster championship, she will be a vital cog going forward if Kerry wish to build on last year's All-Ireland quarter-final appearance. SINEAD BURKE Centre-back on the Lidl Division 1 Team of the League, The experienced Ballyboden St Enda's defender played a crucial role as Galway reached a Lidl NFL Division 1 final this year. Galway were beaten by Cork before they drew with Mayo in the TG4 Connacht final and then claimed the honours after a replay. The 29-year-old's energetic runs from defence have been a feature of manager Tim Rabbitt's successes. NEAMH WOODS Named at centre-back on the Lidl Division 2 Team of the League, Woods was one of the stars of Tyrone's outstanding TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate triumph last year. But the experienced Drumragh campaigner, who made her debut in 2006, will need to up her game even further as Tyrone look to build through the round robin phase with some tricky games. NIAMH COTTER Cork's hard-working midfielder claimed a midfield berth in the Lidl Division 1 Team of t Above: Sinéad Burke of Galway, receiving her Division 1 award from Marie Hickey, LGFA President, and Sian Gray, Head of Marketing, Lidl Ireland. Below: Karen Guthrie of Donegal, receiving her Division 1 award from Marie Hickey, LGFA President, and Sian Gray, Head of Marketing, Lidl Ireland.