Shiels and Gaeil Fhánada aiming to advance in Ulster

BY MATTHEW WILSON

Gaeil Fhánada forward Hannah Shiels is hoping that they can keep their campaign going when they meet Knockbride in the Ulster Intermediate Club Championship this Sunday.

The Fanad outfit qualified for the provincial competition following their Donegal Intermediate triumph last month when they defeated Ardara in an encounter which required extra-time.

The pair had met on a number of occasions this term, including the Gaeltacht Final which went to free-kicks, so Shiels was fully aware of the threat that the Pearse Memorial Park ladies would bring.

“We’ve met Ardara four times over the last year and they’ve given us a battle each time so we knew it was going to be another battle. Getting over the line was a massive relief for everybody.”

Speaking to the Donegal News prior to their Donegal Intermediate showpiece, Gaeil Fhánada manager Shane Keavney stated that the group’s goal from the outset was to land the Intermediate title.

Now that they’ve achieved this, Shiels expressed that the side must now regroup and put their full focus on the upcoming Ulster campaign.

“We sat in the hall in Kerrykeel in the middle of January at the start of the year and a Championship title was the main goal”, said Shiels.

“Now that we have that goal, we’ve had to regroup and we’ve got our eyes set now on Ulster so hopefully we can give it a good rattle.”

With a Donegal Intermediate and Gaeltacht title under their belt for the 2025 season, it’s been quite the season for the Fanad ladies.

Following their Donegal Gaeltacht success, the Fanad side progressed to the All-Ireland competition where they represented the county in Meath.

They eventually missed out on the silverware, losing out in the All-Ireland decider, but it was an experience that the Gaeil Fhánada forward enjoyed.

“We’re very happy now. We represented our county in Meath at the All-Ireland as well and there’s something nice about going into games where you know nothing about the team.”

“We’re looking forward to this weekend because you’re going in with a clean slate, not knowing anything about your opponent and they don’t know anything about us so we get to focus on our own game.”

Up next for Keavney’s side is a meeting with Cavan outfit Knockbride this Sunday in the last eight of the Ulster Intermediate Club Championship.

The Cavan residents ran out convincing 14-point winners over Down side Carryduff in the preliminary round of Ulster so they’ll certainly provide a stern test but it’s one Shiels is looking forward to.

“We can’t wait to get out onto the field on Sunday. Five weeks is a long wait so we just want to get out and show our best ability and make the parish, club and county proud.”

As Hannah mentioned, it’s been close to five weeks since herself and the team have been in competitive action.

Getting friendlies to maintain match sharpness seems to have been an issue but Shiels is hoping that the time has helped to get everyone back to full fitness.

“It’s a long wait, it’ll be five weeks now on Sunday since that Ardara game. Getting friendlies hasn’t been easy, we did get a friendly against ATU last week and we’d a good showing.”

“We were carrying a few niggles after the Ardara game so the five week wait was a bonus in that way but then you can pick up other niggles. Hopefully we’ll have everybody on Sunday.”

Sunday’s a big occasion for Gaeil Fhánada, hosting a provincial encounter on home soil at Pairc Uí Shiail.

They previously held an Ulster Junior Championship clash there back in 2018 but the Gaeil Fhánada sharpshooter is hoping they can get a good local support out this weekend to try and see them over the line.

“The last time in 2018, we won the Junior A Championship and we represented the county down in Portsalon as well. That game actually went to extra-time so hopefully we can do it in the 60 minutes. We’ll have good home support as well between the parish and the county, hopefully everyone will be out supporting us.”

With Gaeil Fhánada’s exceptional season in mind, with them also achieving their goal of winning the Donegal Championship, some might say that this is now bonus territory for the Fanad outfit.

However, Shiels is insistent on keeping this campaign going for as long as possible, starting with a win over Knockbride on Sunday.

“We’re hoping that we can make the winter shorter by keeping this run going, getting out training and getting more games under our belt. Hopefully now we can do it.”