Sleeping Giant awakens

A sleeping giant awoke last weekend in the opening round of the
Suzuki Ladies National Football League and is eager to put a halt
to the dominance of their close neighbours Cork.

 

Kerry were once the team to beat in Ladies Football, winning
nine consecutive All Ireland Championship titles between 1982
and 1990. They won the last of their eleven National League titles
in 1991 and have not won a major national trophy since 1993.

 

But last weekend’s impressive 11 point victory over Waterford
signalled the return to form of a rejuvenated Kerry side, who
are keen to pry the Division 1 title away from local rivals Cork.
The return of Kacey O’Driscoll from a soccer scholarship
in the US has added to an already potent attack which also contains
captain Sarah O’Connor.

 

“We’ve put in a lot of work this year and we’re
hoping to go all the way, we know we are still a bit behind the
likes of Cork, Laois and Galway but we wouldn’t be here if
we didn’t think we could beat them,” said Sarah O’Connor,
Kerry captain.

 

Kerry face the current Leinster champions Laois in their second
outing in Division 1A this weekend. Laois mustered an impressive
draw with Mayo last weekend but Kerry will be inspired by their
2003 National League Final defeat to the O’Moore County.

 

A repeat of last year’s All Ireland Junior Championship
final clash between Leitrim and Sligo will take place this weekend
in Division 2A is the highlight of the Division 2 fixtures. Sligo
got off to a winning start last week with a hard fought win over
Dublin but Leitrim will be looking to avenge their All Ireland
defeat and kick their own league campaign off with a win.