BY MATTHEW WILSON
ST Eunan’s Under 23 ladies manager Kaneshia McKinney hopes that her side can cap off their campaign with a bit of silverware when they meet Naomh Columba in the Gold Final on Sunday.
The Letterkenny ladies have been going about their business nicely to date in the Under 23 competition, defeating Termon on the road in the early stages before losing out to Aodh Ruadh at home.
This progressed them to the Gold Semi-Final where they met Buncrana, coming away with a ten-point victory on the day.
McKinney expressed that the scoreline flattered her outfit in that encounter but stated that the group are delighted to be back into a county decider.
“The scoreline probably didn’t reflect the game, it was much tighter than ten points. I think we were two up at half-time and we kept Buncrana in the game through silly mistakes in possession.”
“They had a couple of excellent goals but it definitely didn’t reflect ten points. I’d say the bodies were tired on Monday and Tuesday.”
“We were pleased to get over the line. This is our senior team basically, anybody who isn’t underage is helping out on the sideline.”
“It’s been a long season of football but you play it because you’re a competitive person and you want to win so I’d say the girls are delighted to be in another county final.”
The last four win over the Scarvey residents has earned the Letterkenny ladies a date with Naomh Columba in the Gold Final of the competition this weekend.
The Pairc na nGael outfit triumphed in the Junior Championship at senior level this term so a few of these players that tasted success will likely take to the field for the Under 23 side.
With the two clubs playing at different levels in the senior ranks, it’s a team that McKinney discussed that she doesn’t know much about but her girls will be hoping that her side can perform when they meet this Sunday.
“To be honest, I don’t know much about them. It’s probably the first time that we’re playing a team that we don’t know much about.”
“Our senior team played Division 1 and they played in the lower divisions so we haven’t come across each other a lot.”
“I know they have a number of players involved in the underage county squads and there’s a few in with the county seniors as well.”
“At the end of the day it’s 15 against 15 and whatever subs come on, you’d hope they impact the game and do well. We’ll be looking to bring a bit of silverware back to the club.”
With the vast majority of this St Eunan’s Under 23 side participating at senior level, it’s been a long season for the players which commenced close to 12 months ago.
A piece of silverware this weekend would be the O’Donnell Park residents just rewards for their effort and commitment this term, with McKinney expressing that it’s a competition that the side look forward to.
“A lot of these girls would’ve been going since early December last year when we started our pre-season with the senior team.”
“They played right up until the end of August and then they all went away to their colleges where they play college football.”
“I know in St Eunan’s ladies, we’ve always been knocking at the door in the Senior Championship every year and have fallen at the semi-final hurdle.”
“The girls had this competition to look forward to, it’s something they enjoy and that’s really important to everybody.”
