Ladies Gaelic Football

PREVIEW Junior Championship By Jackie Cahill W ICKLOW might start as favourites to claim the TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship title this year – but Limerick captain Niamh McCarthy is relishing the challenge of taking on the Garden County. Antrim vice-captain Gráinne McLoughlin admits, too, that Wicklow are the team to beat this year, after they fell short at the final hurdle last December. Wicklow were many people's favourites to land the West County Hotel Cup at Parnell Park but they came up short against Fermanagh, who claimed the silverware and a spot in the 2021 Intermediate Championship. Now, the race to clamber out of the Junior ranks starts all over, with Antrim, Carlow, Derry, Limerick and Wicklow in the hunt. Limerick were semi-finalists last year, losing out to Fermanagh, and McCarthy is looking forward to a fresh assault on honours from the Shannonsiders, who won this competition in 2018. "We reached the semi-finals and had a great run in the group games," McCarthy recalls. "It was much more straightforward last year, with only two round games, but it will be important for us to just focus on the games as they come and not expel too much energy on getting back to a semi-final. I think we've got to dig deep to give ourselves the best possible chance." In a five-team round-robin phase, the top four teams will emerge to contest the semi-finals. And McCarthy reflects: "I think it's important that we play as much football as possible. "Don't get me wrong, it's a big ask and will be tough week on week so it will be important to manage ourselves physically and mentally after each game." And rather than fearing the challenge that Wicklow might present, McCarthy is aiming to tackle it head on. "I'm looking forward to playing Wicklow this year," McCarthy insists. "They're a team we haven't played in a long time and we missed them in the Championship last year, so we aren't familiar with each other." Wicklow got the better of Antrim to progress to the 2020 Final – before they came unstuck against Fermanagh. And Antrim star McLoughlin admits: "I think, definitely, Wicklow are up there. "They're playing Division 3 and having beaten us last year in the semi-final, we would be silly not to consider them as one of the favourites. "I also think Limerick will give us a good game as they had a good win over Carlow in the League. "In Championship football, anything can happen. I think we have a good chance – certainly better than last year. "New management was introduced and I think it's been very refreshing. "Unfortunately, we hadn't found our stride for the League but I think we are really beginning to gel as a team. "We had a great win over Derry in the Ulster Junior Final – so hopefully with that momentum, it sets us up well for Championship to begin." Antrim have relatively recent experience of contesting Junior Finals. They were Champions in 2012, before finishing as runners-up in 2016. Another shot at the Intermediate ranks is what the Saffrons should be aspiring to, McLoughlin insists. "I think it's so important to strive for promotion," she says. "It's a competitive sport – and anyone playing football should be aiming for Senior Championship and to be rivalling the best teams in the country. It might take a good few years to work our way up the ranks but I definitely think if we continue to progress, it's a realistic goal for the future. "With four matches to play before the knockout stages begin, it gives us a good opportunity for everyone to test the waters – tactics, starting team, etc. I think it will be very beneficial and getting the extra game will allow teams to perform at their strongest come the semi-final, and will produce more intense, competitive matches." WICKLOW FANCIED BUT JUNIOR RACE IS WIDE OPEN

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