LADIES FOOTBALL PADDY HUNTER

With games against Mayo, Laois, Donegal Kerry and Armagh to look forward to, the new Tyrone management have still set out their stall, retaining top flight status and qualifying for the last four is certainly the aim although there’s no doubting the season ahead will be one of transition.

A host of the experienced players have indicated that they have called time on their inter county careers, veteran forward Alish Gormley possibly the most notable absentee for the national league. Others are considering the future and there’s injury issues with several other players. It’s an opportunity for some of the counties most promising young talent then to stake their claim.

Last season saw a small influx of players from the successful Ulster minor winning squad of 2007 and more of that squad as well as the all Ireland minor finalists of 2008 will get their chance this term.

The successful Jordanstown freshers squad that picked up the all Ireland sevens crown on Friday last can boast four of that squad in County colours, skipper Roisin Rafferty, Sinead McVeigh , Christiane Hunter and Laura McGillion. The experienced Maura Kelly, although carrying injury like Carol McGlinchey are included as is Sligo IT and Macartans ace Lynda Donnelly. All star Niamh Woods, Gemma Begley, Eimear Teague, Sarah Donnelly and veteran forward Catriona McGahan all return again. There’s a call up too for promising Cappagh defender Naomi McAnulla who was player of the match in last years all Ireland schools junior A final,a big week in the McAnulla household with brother Jason claiming a place in Mickey Hartes Tyrone squad.

While Tyrone are set to carry a bigger than usual panel, the door remains open for others, with the management team confirming that other players could be added. There’s some twenty weeks until the Ulster semi-final encounter with Armagh and the build up has already started, the national league campaign will be a learning curve for players and managers alike.

Strabane’s the venue this Sunday (2pm) as Tyrone welcome the Connaught side backboned by the all Ireland club champions Carnacorn. Cora Staunton as always the ace up front for Mayo, she returned to the squad in the closing stages of the all Ireland championships but remains unsure of her commitment for the national league. Whether or not Staunton is in the actual selection Mayo will remain a major threat to this new look Tyrone. The O’Neill county selection could well feature several new faces, there will be plenty of competition for places in the coming national league series. Laois up next after the break for the universities football, followed by Kerry, Donegal and old rivals Armagh. When that programme is completed the new management team and the Tyrone followers will certainly have a better take on what 2009 has in store.

There was plenty of Tyrone and Ulster interest with their final opponents too, DCU, boasted Shannon Quinn, Sarah Connolly and Ciara McAnespie .

The Ulster champions claimed a five point victory in a very keenly contested decider in the end 5-5 to 2-9 the final score in favour of the local side. There were outstanding displays from the Tyrone players on show. A solid display from Laura McGillion and Rafferty, great fielding and defending from Christiane Hunter, steady goalkeeping and distribution from Ardboes Sinead McVeigh and another good performance from Eadoin Devine.

Next up for the Jordanstown is the Dowd cup with several players from this successful sevens squad involved in the senior side for the prestigious competition. Indeed the five have all been named in the Tyrone senior squad for the forthcomng Bord Gáis Energy National football league.