Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1302727
4 | AUTUMN 2020 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie Caoimhe Morgan gives her thoughts on the 5 Senior contenders from Ulster Armagh, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan and Tyrone are the Ulster teams who will compete in the 2020 TG4 All- Ireland Senior Championship. What team do you think has the capability to go furthest in the competition? Tyrone have been working on a four-year plan and I think they will be the surprise package. They have a very professional set-up bolstered by past player and strength and conditioning coach Sarah Connolly. Cavan will be well-prepared under the experience of James Daly and they've shown they can compete with Donegal. However, they will need to be at their very best to match up with Cork and Kerry in their group. Monaghan will have their hands full and I'm not sure if they have improved enough. Armagh and Donegal have the experience and quality I think to go the furthest. When assessing the four teams in the hunt for glory, who are the key players we should be looking out for? For Armagh, Catherine Marley has grown in confidence and ability, shows great strength and work-rate, with the added bonus of accurate shooting power. Aimee (Mackin) has come back from injury with a great desire and hunger which could make her even more of a threat. Caroline O'Hanlon is always a must to watch out for! Cavan - Sinead Greene is a great defender who also adds an attacking element from half back. Laura Fitzpatrick and Donna English both have great engines. Then you have the strength and clinical shooting power of Aishling Sheridan. Roisin O'Keefe has had some great performances in leading Lacken to a senior county title. Donegal - Geraldine McLaughlin, Katy Herron, Karen Guthrie and Yvonne Bonner are all players to look out for. The experience and ability of these players is breath- taking and a joy to watch. Tyrone- Niamh McGirr is a great defender and a real driving force for Tyrone, Emma Jane Gervin at midfield a very committed and hard-working footballer. Neamh Woods is always one to watch, as an experienced leader. Monaghan - Therese Scott and Ellen McCarron are the experienced ones to watch but never underestimate Rosemary Courtney, the Gartland twins and Muireann Atkinson. How do you rate the standard of football in the province in recent times? The standard of football in Ulster is very competitive – all five senior teams are now at a standard where there is very little between them. Monaghan went through a bit of a building process but I feel they are making strides again. Donegal are an extremely professional outfit, who have set the bar in Ulster very high. It would be very foolish to overlook Cavan, who gave Donegal their fill of it in the Ulster championship in 2019. I feel the team to watch is Tyrone - I have been hearing great reports of the work being put in there, so watch this space with that one! Armagh are always there when it comes to competing at the top table and have always contributed to the high standards of Ulster football. Caoimhe Morgan of Armagh leads out her team ahead of the TG4 All Ireland Senior Championship Qualifier match between Armagh and Westmeath SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW