Two TESCO HomeGrown NFL fixtures this weekend

 

MONAGHAN’S Allstar defender Christina Reilly is targeting another Tesco Homegrown Ladies National Football League Division 1 title.

Reilly admits that retaining the Division 1 crown would set Monaghan up nicely for another massive championship assault.

The champions can move to the head of affairs with victory over Mayo, who have plenty of incentive themselves as an away victory would bring them level with current leaders Cork, Monaghan and Laois on 9 points at the head of affairs.

Reilly said: “Every team wants to win everything they’re in and we’re no different. It would be lovely to retain it but the Brendan Martin Cup is what we want. The League is preparation for that and we hope to build a strong foundation for the summer.”

The 29-year-old defender added: “The main thing on Sunday is how we perform as a team. Winning or losing is not the crucial point but we do hope to make the semi-finals and after that, it’s anybody’s.”

Reilly is a key member of a Monaghan rearguard preparing to face Mayo’s in-form forward Cora Staunton.

And Reilly, 29, is an admirer of a Mayo team who have won two of their opening three League fixtures under new boss Peter Clarke.

She noted: “This team has been there or thereabouts for the last couple of years. We played them in the quarter-final of the championship last year and that in itself was a very tough game.”

Ultimately, League fixtures serve as ideal preparation for the summer’s championship campaign.

And Reilly would dearly love another opportunity to atone for last year’s TG4 All-Ireland semi-final defeat against Cork.

She said: “They (Cork) don’t have seven All-Irelands for nothing.

“I know that we would have fancied ourselves and we have confidence in our own ability but a lot of things went wrong and the game spiralled out of control.

“We felt ourselves that we could do well but that will drive us on this year.”

Meanwhile, Kerry have the chance to join Galway, Westmeath and Clare at the head of affairs in Division 2 on Saturday.

Last year’s beaten All-Ireland senior finalists host Clare at Father Sheehy Park in Listowel (2.0).

by Jackie Cahill