BY RYAN FERRY

GLENFIN star Annamarie Brady admits it isn’t always easy to juggle football with family life but is thankful for the support she receives which helps her to continue playing in the red and white jersey.

The Pairc Taobhoige side had a disappointing 2024 when they failed to make the semi-finals of the Donegal Championship.

However, with some experienced campaigners back on board, they have been excellent this season and have won the Donegal League and Championship titles.

Now they are gearing up for an Ulster quarter-final with Errigal Ciaran on Sunday and don’t want the season to end at this stage.

“There’s different things going on now,” Brady told the Donegal News.

“A few of us have been having babies and starting families and we’re just at that age I suppose.

“There were a couple of experienced players that weren’t playing last year but we decided this season that we would do the hard work in the off season during the winter, and put ourselves in with a good chance for the county championship.

“We have put in a big effort and we are reaping the rewards of that at the moment.”

Football is in the blood for Annamarie as part of a GAA-mad McGlynn family.

She’s married to Cavan man Ciaran, who plays for the Glenfin senior men’s team and who helps to manage the ladies along with Paul Bonner, Ciaran Moy and Aodhfin McGlynn.

They have a wee boy called Mattie, and favours have to be called in to make sure she can train and play matches.

“It is definitely a lot harder.

“You’re trying to prepare as best as you can for the games.

“But nobody can prepare you for a sick child at night or whatever so you just have to get on with it.

“We’re lucky in Glenfin that people are understanding and myself personally there’s a great support system there.

“It’s more than just me that’s invested because I’ve my mammy and sisters and nieces helping with baby-sitting and you’re grateful to have that help.

“I’m sure all the other girls are the same with babysitters they call upon.

“I have one, Yvonne (Bonner) has two, Katy (Herron), Tara (Martin) and Sharon (Conaghan) have kids, and Grainne (Cullen) is just back after having her second baby.

“There’s a good few of us. The conversations can be very different at training. You have the mothers asking ‘did yours sleep through the night’ and then you have the younger generation chatting about their hobbies and what’s going on for them.”

Glenfin’s target was to win Donegal and they did that by beating Termon by 2-8 to 0-5.

That opens the door to the Ulster Championship and that landscape has changed in recent seasons since they were last involved.

“We know it’s a big step up with the physicality and everything.

“The last year we were in it was 2021 and we just didn’t reach the standard that we know we can.

“It was a quick exit for us against Donaghmoyne so we’re just hoping that we can bring our best now on Sunday and give it our all.

“When you’re enjoying your football and are on a high after the county final, you don’t want it to end.

“We hope we can give Ulster a good run and just enjoy it.”

Sunday’s quarter-final throws in at 2pm at Pairc Taobhoige.

It’s a hard game to call. Termon made light work of Tyrone champions St Maccartan’s last year and they had beaten Errigal along the way.

Of course, Glenfin know themselves that things can change considerably from one year to the next.

Aoife Hoirsk is a real threat for Errigal Ciaran while Maria and Claire Canavan will have to be watched closely.

“I think a few of those girls have won the All-Ireland Intermediate with Tyrone so they are going to be coming in confident.

“We know they will be tough opposition. Any team that has Canavans in it will have to be watched.

“It will be a good day. The club are celebrating our 50th anniversary the weekend after next and there’s a lot of work going on to prepare for it.

“We know the Glenfin supporters are always very good and we’re hoping they will be the 16th player supporting us on Sunday.”

Verdict: Glenfin