Ward clocking up the miles for her club

BY RYAN FERRY

KATHY Ward put in the hard yards on the pitch for Glenfin on Saturday and she’s also been clocking up the miles to make it to training.
Ward has just started a new job as a vet in Monaghan.
However, the lure of the home club remains strong and the 26-year-old has been driving up and down the road to make the team sessions.
That was all worth it in O’Donnell Park as Glenfin won their sixth title.
“I am based in Ballybay, Monaghan.
“For the last few weeks, it’s been tough enough because I’ve been up and down the road for training two or three times a week.
“It’s not easy and I can be on-call and everything but look, it has to be done.
“I started in Monaghan at the beginning of the championship.
“I was in Slovakia before that doing my veterinary degree and flying home for games.
“Travelling isn’t quite as bad now. We are lucky we have lights on the wee pitch at home and that’s a help.”
Glenfin had a good game against Moville in the semi-final but Termon were always going to be the acid test.
It was a good display but Ward was quick to point out that it was hard work throughout the year that sent them home happy.
“It wasn’t won just today.
“We have been putting in a lot of work all year.
“Termon always give us a good run and they did the same today but we were just a bit stronger.”
Glenfin didn’t even make it through to the semi-finals last year which was a huge shock.
However, they had their ducks in-a-row this time with key players back on board and that led to much improved displays.
“There’s different things going on. People are travelling and it’s very hard to keep girls together, and with ones getting pregnant and everything, it is a bit harder for women.
“I suppose this year we bought into it from the start.
“We got a great management team in place and everyone just gave it everything from the very first day we stepped on the field and I think that’s what did it.”
The O’Donnell Park pitch held up well despite the heavy rain in the lead up to the match.
It was far from the ideal day to play football with a strong breeze blowing away from the clubhouse end and Ward said it was tricky to play in.
“Storm Amy definitely put us through our paces.
“Running against it wasn’t simple.
“Whichever way you were playing it was hard to be honest.
“It definitely made it a wee bit harder.”
Next up for Glenfin is an Ulster clash with Errigal Ciaran in a fortnight’s time.
Errigal won the Tyrone title when they defeated Dungannon.
Ward admits she doesn’t know much about what they will be facing in the provincial quarter-final.
“I don’t know much about them to be honest but sometimes you’re better off that way.
“We will stick to our plan like we stick always go and get into it from the start.”