Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1391459
TG4 SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW Senior Championship // Preview Weighing up your own native Mayo and Galway ahead of the 2021 TG4 All-Ireland Championship, which team do you think has the potential to go furthest in the competition? Having competed in the 2019 All Ireland Final, Galway are going to be eager to get back to the big stage again. They have been building a strong squad over the past few seasons and with new management this season, I was wondering would that give them the edge to go one step further. Based on their League performances, they still have a lot of work to do. After a disappointing Championship last year, and a turbulent few years in Mayo, it is fantastic to see a fresh management team in place getting the best players in the county back on the pitch. They have a nice squad of players assembled. I think they are in a building phase this year and a top four finish would be a going to be a great addition to the team if she can continue that form. Rachel Kearns has proven to be a key forward for Mayo in recent years and they will be relying on big performances from her. Fiona McHale will bring leadership and experience to Mayo that will be needed for Championship football. Galway failed to make the knock- out stages of the Lidl National League – while Mayo were well beaten at the semi-final stage by Dublin. Does this League form give us any clues heading into Championship? It's hard to say with such a short format. I was disappointed with Galway's League campaign but they were missing players and were still unlucky not to make the knockout stages. Prior to the League starting, I thought Galway might be contenders for the All-Ireland this year. I think Mayo's League was bit of a mixed bag. While they lost to Donegal and got beaten well by Dublin, they secured a win over rivals Galway that they haven't been able to get in recent years. That could prove crucial if they meet in Championship. Both teams have the potential to have an impact on this year' championship and do very well but a lot will depend what players return to the team, what they have learned from the League, what work they done since and how they implement that going into the group stages of the Championship. good championship, given they didn't make the knock-out stages last year. I think it will be important for both teams to top their group in order for them to progress in the championship. It is worth noting that it is a possibility both these teams could meet in a quarter-final. Pushed for an answer and to get me off the fence – based solely on League form this year, I'm going for Mayo to reach the semi-finals and Galway for the quarter-finals. Of course, with my supporter's hat on, I'm keeping the faith for Mayo to go all the way! When assessing both teams, who are the key players we should be looking out for – and why? Galway: Louise Ward. Galway need her back from injury and in good form if they are going to have an impact on this year's championship. Tracey and Roisin Leonard didn't feature in the League at all this year; I think it's important for Galway to have these two players available for championship also. Mayo: Shauna Howley was in great form during the League for Mayo. She is 34 | SUMMER 2021 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie FORMER MAYO STAR YVONNE BYRNE WEIGHS UP THE CHANCES OF HER NATIVE COUNTY AND CONNACHT RIVALS GALWAY IN THIS YEAR'S SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP YVONNE BYRNE LOUISE WARD NIAMH KELLY TAMARA O'CONNOR FIONA McHALE KATE SLEVIN