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www.ladiesgaelic.ie | SUMMER 2021 | 37 TG4 SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW What team do you think has the capability to go furthest in the competition? Group A features three Ulster sides who will be very familiar with each other at this stage. I feel Armagh are hitting form and will be very difficult to beat if they continue in this vein. Both Cavan and Monaghan have showed glimpses of brilliance but they have struggled to consistently close games out. Tyrone will find it difficult in their group with Dublin and Waterford. Waterford, having had a good League campaign, will undoubtedly want to push on and Dublin will be hot favourites. Donegal are always a team to watch and I would back them to top their group. They have had a very good League campaign and Ulster Championship to date. As we have seen in the past with Donegal, they tend to get better as they move through the stages. It is Championship and anything can happen on any given day. Ulster sides are known for their physicality and mixing it with the top teams. That said, I believe Armagh and Donegal are the teams to watch from Ulster this year. Who are the key players to watch out for? Armagh have a number of quality players, household names like the Mackins, the Marley sisters, and Caroline O'Hanlon. However, it's a young player, Grace Ferguson, who has caught my eye. She's a tenacious defender who always does the simple things well. It's great to see Niamh Marley at midfield, with her surging runs and physical presence. Alex Clarke is magical to watch, her creativity and work-rate are sights to behold! Cavan have Sinead Greene, a great defender who can also add to the attack. Undoubtedly, the Sheridan sisters are the ones to watch here. Their physicality and scoring threat will give opponents a lot to think about. Donegal's key players are a headache for all opponents. Geraldine McLaughlin is probably in the form of her life and she's ably assisted by Karen Guthrie, a danger in any square. The tireless work of Niamh Hegarty and Emer Gallagher cannot go unmentioned. Monaghan players to watch are Ellen McCarron, Ciara McAnespie and Cora Courtney. The player who has impressed me the most is Muireann Atkinson. She is physically powerful and very composed on the ball. As Tyrone captain, Tori McLaughlin will lead by example. Neamh Woods back from injury will be a welcome addition too. Emma Jane Gervin at midfield is a very committed and hard- working footballer. The two Niamhs for me are the ones to watch - Niamh O'Neill is so strong with a quick turn of pace and Niamh Hughes with her surging runs. How do you rate the standard of football in the province? The standard of football in Ulster is very intriguing to watch - all five teams are at a standard that is very competitive. There is very little between these sides now. I am looking forward to seeing Armagh play Donegal hopefully at some stage this season as I think this game will give an insight into where Armagh are at. As seen to date, an Ulster tie can go any way and I think that says it all about Ulster football! CAOIMHE MORGAN GRACE FERGUSON KAREN GUTHRIE GERALDINE McLAUGHLIN NIAMH HUGHES MUIREANN ATKINSON SINEAD GREENE CAOIMHE MORGAN PLAYED FOR ARMAGH FOR 19 SEASONS – AND WON A TG4 ALL-IRELAND JUNIOR MEDAL DURING HER PLAYING DAYS. FROM THE LISSUMMON CLUB, CAOIMHE IS AN EMERGING ANALYST AND SHE CASTS AN EYE OVER THE FIVE ULSTER TEAMS BIDDING FOR TG4 SENIOR GLORY.