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10 | SUMMER 2022 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie MICHELLE RYAN Q&A F ormer Waterford star Michelle Ryan is a key analyst for TG4 on their Peil na mBan TV coverage. Michelle is also a former graduate of the LGFA's Learn to Lead Female Leadership programme, and she was a selector with the TG4 Underdogs team last year. Michelle looks ahead to the TG4 All- Ireland Senior Championship semi-final between Meath and Donegal, as both teams aim for a place back at Croke Park in the Final on Sunday July 31. Q: Hi, Michelle, and thanks for chatting to us. What a weekend of quarter-final action that was! How do you sum it all up? A: Unexpected craziness - but that's the beauty of sport! I don't know anyone who would have or could have predicted the results that came last weekend. Based on the matches that I had attended, I did not foresee such improved performances from Mayo, Donegal or Galway. Teams have undoubtedly taken huge belief from Meath's achievements last year and it's fantastic to see the championship so wide open, now that Dublin & Cork are no longer in the running. While last year's All-Ireland champions are still in the mix, the three other teams will no doubt feel that they have a great chance to achieve All-Ireland glory. Q: Looking ahead to the semi-final, how do you rate the chances of Meath? A: It's clear this year that the gap between the top teams has significantly lessened & Meath are no longer coming in under the radar, which is a slight disadvantage to them. Teams have now had time to learn from Meath's style of play and how to possibly counteract it. As a result, Meath haven't been as effective with their system this year as they were last year and, so far, they have been severely tested by both Armagh and Galway. However, with that said, I still think that Meath will come out on top as they have been showing the mentality and belief of champions by grinding out results in tricky games. Q: And what are your thoughts on this Donegal team? A: Donegal had a shaky start to the championship but I'm happy to finally see a team of such talent achieving their potential. Ever since watching their performance in Kingspan Breffni Park in October 2020, I've always believed that they had the ingredients to beat Dublin and progress in the championship. Now that they've finally overcome that hurdle, they shouldn't fear anyone. They bring an excellent standard of attacking football when they click but my one worry is that they have not been consistent in their standard of performances this year. Q: Where do you see the semi-final being won and lost? A: Whichever team can transition quickest from defence into attack should come through. Meath often employ a crowded defence with most players tracking back inside their own half. They are also excellent at the quick transition as it has very much been at the heart of their gameplan over the last 18 months. Donegal have struggled when facing a crowded defence in the past. However, they do have players with great speed in their team and have to use this to their advantage while also ensuring that shooting accuracy is high to capitalise on their transition speed. Q: Who are the key players that we should be looking out for on both sides? A: For Meath, players such as Monica McGuirk & Mary Kate Lynch could prove crucial in this game as Donegal have excellent finishers and much goal-scoring potential. Niamh O'Sullivan and Orlagh Lally are also vitally important when it comes to work-rate and making inroads in attack. For Donegal, the performance of the attacking triangle that is Karen Guthrie, Geraldine McLaughlin and Yvonne Bonner is essential to Donegal's success. Niamh and Nicole McLaughlin are also crucial link players and ball providers out around the middle of the field. Q: What have been a couple of standout moments for you during the 2022 Championship? A: Kerry's progress throughout the League and Championship campaign has been remarkable to watch, with their championship victories over Galway and Armagh very impressive. The self-belief and cohesive atmosphere that seems to exist in their camp this year has most definitely been noticeable when at the games. Other than that, it has to be the unanticipated drama and score-fest that was the quarter finals weekend, topped off by Emma Duggan's match winning point for Meath with only 15 seconds left on the clock! Q: Finally, sum up how you see the semi-final going, and predict a winner? A: First of all, extra-time wouldn't surprise me at all! Donegal always have excellent potential and certainly pose a big threat to Meath. Their style of play is very effective when they move at speed, play with high intensity and when scoring opportunities are being capitalised upon. This could cause Meath many problems and I see them mounting a very strong challenge to Meath right up until the end. Yet, with Meath playing with more grit in the crucial dying stages and having more experience of success in knockout games, I'll go with a victory for the Royal County. TG4 ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI- FINAL PREVIEW