Tyrone Ladies return to the Suzuki Ladies League

Tyrone ladies return to the Suzuki National League
this Sunday with a trip to Killtoome in County
Roscommon, it’s a crunch game for the new look
side and new manager John McAleer. The Monaghan-born
supremo feels that the build-up, and of course
two points secured prior to Christmas, leaves
Tyrone in the best possible frame of mind going
back into competitive football. Yet McAleer and
coach Ryan Cunningham have set out realistic aims
for the Tyrone squad as the league door opens
again. It’s an open secret within the county and
province that Tyrone were stung last year at missing
out on a place in the Ulster final, the new look
programme of games in the championship saw a culmination
of forces that eventually left the Sean O’Kane
managed team down and out. The injuries and unavailability
of players left the side down to the bare bones
and McAleer who took over in the hot seat last
Autumn, doesn’t want the same thing happening
again. To that end the preparation has been precise,
but be warned, the league campaign will be used
to prepare for the championship, no stone left
unturned in the quest for new and indeed some
experienced talent.

Over the last fortnight the full squad of over
thirty have played in two tough challenge matches,
Fermanagh and the UUJ provided the opposition
a win and loss recorded but overall an opportunity
for the management to cast an eye over how the
training and build up has been going and how the
players are performing. McAleer likes what he
has seen, “I am happy with our build up, we have
a good squad of players and despite the absence
of some of the more known names the girls, we
will do a good job this season. I have already
set out our stall for 2005 and while the championship
is, of course the goal, I am setting out to qualify
for the knock-out stages of the league also, with
points already collected a win over Roscommon
could well set us on that road to the quarters”

The Tyrone side travel to Roscommon then on Sunday
for the resumption of the league campaign well
prepared and focused, John McAleer’s side while
missing several established squad players are
still well up to strength, upwards on thirty will
be named and throughout the league campaign all
will get a run out. Starting on Sunday though
its Roscommon a tough encounter although Tyrone
start favourites. The Tyrone squad meet at Ballygawley
on Saturday evening for a loosener. County under
14 training resumes on Sunday 6th February in
youth sport omagh at 1.00pm sharp. All members
of the under 14’s are requested to be there. Under
16 training as usual on Friday at 7.00 pm and
2.30pm on Sunday