Latest news with #LadiesFootball
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Nicola O'Malley confident Mayo can turn around their fortunes
Mayo defender Nicola O'Malley says she is confident Mayo can turn their season around ahead of the Ladies All-Ireland football championship. Following relegation from Division One, Mayo lost back-to-back games against rivals Galway, including the Connacht final. Advertisement Life will not get any easier for Mayo, as they face All-Ireland champions Kerry and Cork in their group. With a young squad that has seen a lot of turnover in the last 12 months, O'Malley says consistency has been an issue for the team this season. "They is probably phases during games where we play quite well, we just don't do it consistently enough", says O'Malley. "It is very easy to look at the negatives, and that is what people tend to do. We are trying to focus on the positives, and how we can build more of those into games. Advertisement "We have a very young panel at the moment, so it is very important we don't just look at the negatives, there has to be positivity looking towards what we are trying to do. "There is a lot of girls who would be in their first year of the senior panel, it is a different level of performance and a big step up to the senior level. You do have to keep that in mind." Led by someone who experienced plenty of ups and downs in a Mayo jersey, Liam McHale will not panic. For O'Malley, the encouragement he gives the team on the pitch and allowing freedom for younger players has been important to the squad. Advertisement "He encourages us to play our brand of football and try things, which I think is great. We don't want players to be afraid or worried about what style of play they engage in. "He has been there himself in the lead up to games. In the Connacht final, he has been in the dressing room, he knows what it is like. "It is great to have someone of his experience and help the younger girls through that." With three different winners in the last three years, and several contenders for the All-Ireland this season, it could not be more open. Advertisement They may not be talked about as potential winners, but Mayo going about their business under the radar, particularly under a period of transition, may suit this squad better. "I do think that the underdog title would suit the younger girls on the team, that there isn't that level of expectation on them. "You are free to go out and play. I think if you look at all three divisions, there is a number of teams in contention. It keeps that excitement in the games, and hopefully can hlep draw support in crowds at the games. "The last thing you want is having one team that is dominating, it keeps the excitment out of the games."
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Don't stay in the pubs' - player's plea before Ulster Ladies Final
Donegal ladies full-back Abigail Temple Asokuh wants the early-arrival fans at Clones on Saturday to attend their Ulster Final contest with holders Armagh rather than being tempted to stay in the town's bars in advance of men's senior provincial decider between the two same counties. The ladies decider will throw-in at 15:00 BST at St Tiernach's Park and is live on the BBC iPlayer with the much-anticipated men's final following at 17:25. Advertisement Clones' access issues means many Donegal and Armagh fans will arrive in the Monaghan market town hours before the men's throw-in and Temple Asokuh, 19, is appealing to supporters not to ignore the women's decider. "Hopefully, the Donegal fans turn up for our game too and don't leave it late to get out of the pubs. The tickets are for both games," said the Ballybofey woman. Armagh and Donegal have dominated the Ulster Ladies Championship since 2017 with both counties securing four titles over the last eight seasons. Last year's decider between the two counties went to extra-time with the Orchard women eventually earning a 0-17 to 1-12 triumph. Advertisement "It's great opening for the men. It's great coverage for us. And what better team to go up against than Armagh. That's where you want to be. So it'll be a great occasion," added the Dublin City University student. Armagh's star forward Aimee Mackin sustained a cruciate ligament injury in last year's provincial decider which is still keeping her out of action although she is fulfilling water carrier duties for joint bosses Darnell Parkinson and Joe Feeney. Mackin's sister Blaithin missed last year's provincial final because of injury but will play this weekend while their brother Connaire has been named in the Armagh men's squad. Their other footballing sibling Ciaran is sadly out injured again after suffering a recurrence of the knee trouble which saw him missing out on the closing stages of last year's victorious All-Ireland campaign. Advertisement "It will be a painful one [for Aimee] when you are itching to play and you're part of a team," Blaithin told BBC Sport NI. "She's been doing the water girl role for the majority of the games during the league and just been really good support and a really good voice even from the sidelines but it will be tough for her definitely." Aimee suffered the injury in last year's decider after an innocuous looking challenge in what was the second time she had sustained ACL damage after previous misfortune in 2019. "I remember seeing it myself and I was like 'surely not, like it couldn't happen again'," added Blaithin. Advertisement "But unfortunately that was the outcome and it's been a long and tough year for her but she's dealt with her really well and obviously having Ciaran for the most part to support her through it. They have been very good to each other." Mackin's mixes GAA with AFLW career All four Mackin siblings still live under the same roof with mum and dad so it's not a surprise that football is often a topic of discussion in the household. "It's any sports really 24-7 in the house and dad will be out with the sweets and making matches and showing us his tactics doing the match-ups," laughs Blaithin, who is mixing her Armagh career with also playing for Melbourne Demons in the Women's Australian Football League. Advertisement Macken adds that Connaire and Ciaran, and indeed all the Armagh men's squad are very supportive of the ladies team. "We're very very lucky in Armagh, the men's players take a real interest in how we are doing. "They genuinely know and care about how we are doing so I think the double-header is great. We don't have to say [this weekend] 'oh we're missing yours or you are missing ours'." With Donegal this year having operated in Division Two of the Ladies National Football League where they missed out on promotion, the sides have not met this season. Armagh's fast start in Division One saw them clinching a place in the final with two games to spare but they were unable to retain their title as All-Ireland champions Kerry won the league decider 4-14 to 0-11. Advertisement "We probably felt we dominated the first 15 minutes in the league final and had a lot of chances but didn't convert any of them and they carried straight down the field and got a goal and as any player knows, that just completely drains you," added Mackin. Temple Asokuh says Donegal were content to retain their Division Two status as they attempted to bed in several new players following a number of retirements. The Sean MacCumhaills player missed most of the league campaign because of an ankle injury picked up in the early contest against Roscommon but is now back to full fitness. "We're in a good position. We didn't make it out of Division Two, but at the same time, I think we were happy with where we are," added Mackin, whose Nigerian father Eloka Asokuh came to Donegal in the early noughties to play for Finn Harps and has remained there ever since with his family. Advertisement Donegal boss James Daly has lost the services of experienced campaigners such as Niamh McLaughlin, Katy Herron, Tara Hegarty and Amy Boyle Carr but is still able to call upon the likes of skipper Roisin Rodgers, Evelyn McGinley, Niamh Boyle and Susanne White. Youngsters who have been introduced into the Donegal squad include Rhiana McColgan, Ciara McGarvey, Ava Walsh and Laoise Ryan.
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Don't stay in the pubs' - player's plea before Ulster Ladies Final
Donegal ladies full-back Abigail Temple Asokuh wants the early-arrival fans at Clones on Saturday to attend their Ulster Final contest with holders Armagh rather than being tempted to stay in the town's bars in advance of men's senior provincial decider between the two same ladies decider will throw-in at 15:00 BST at St Tiernach's Park and is live on the BBC iPlayer with the much-anticipated men's final following at 17: access issues means many Donegal and Armagh fans will arrive in the Monaghan market town hours before the men's throw-in and Temple Asokuh, 19, is appealing to supporters not to ignore the women's decider."Hopefully, the Donegal fans turn up for our game too and don't leave it late to get out of the pubs. The tickets are for both games," said the Ballybofey and Donegal have dominated the Ulster Ladies Championship since 2017 with both counties securing four titles over the last eight year's decider between the two counties went to extra-time with the Orchard women eventually earning a 0-17 to 1-12 triumph."It's great opening for the men. It's great coverage for us. And what better team to go up against than Armagh. That's where you want to be. So it'll be a great occasion," added the Dublin City University student. Armagh's star forward Aimee Mackin sustained a cruciate ligament injury in last year's provincial decider which is still keeping her out of action although she is fulfilling water carrier duties for joint bosses Darnell Parkinson and Joe sister Blaithin missed last year's provincial final because of injury but will play this weekend while their brother Connaire has been named in the Armagh men's other footballing sibling Ciaran is sadly out injured again after suffering a recurrence of the knee trouble which saw him missing out on the closing stages of last year's victorious All-Ireland campaign."It will be a painful one [for Aimee] when you are itching to play and you're part of a team," Blaithin told BBC Sport NI."She's been doing the water girl role for the majority of the games during the league and just been really good support and a really good voice even from the sidelines but it will be tough for her definitely."Aimee suffered the injury in last year's decider after an innocuous looking challenge in what was the second time she had sustained ACL damage after previous misfortune in 2019."I remember seeing it myself and I was like 'surely not, like it couldn't happen again'," added Blaithin."But unfortunately that was the outcome and it's been a long and tough year for her but she's dealt with her really well and obviously having Ciaran for the most part to support her through it. They have been very good to each other." Mackin's mixes GAA with AFLW career All four Mackin siblings still live under the same roof with mum and dad so it's not a surprise that football is often a topic of discussion in the household."It's any sports really 24-7 in the house and dad will be out with the sweets and making matches and showing us his tactics doing the match-ups," laughs Blaithin, who is mixing her Armagh career with also playing for Melbourne Demons in the Women's Australian Football adds that Connaire and Ciaran, and indeed all the Armagh men's squad are very supportive of the ladies team."We're very very lucky in Armagh, the men's players take a real interest in how we are doing."They genuinely know and care about how we are doing so I think the double-header is great. We don't have to say [this weekend] 'oh we're missing yours or you are missing ours'." With Donegal this year having operated in Division Two of the Ladies National Football League where they missed out on promotion, the sides have not met this fast start in Division One saw them clinching a place in the final with two games to spare but they were unable to retain their title as All-Ireland champions Kerry won the league decider 4-14 to 0-11."We probably felt we dominated the first 15 minutes in the league final and had a lot of chances but didn't convert any of them and they carried straight down the field and got a goal and as any player knows, that just completely drains you," added Asokuh says Donegal were content to retain their Division Two status as they attempted to bed in several new players following a number of retirements. The Sean MacCumhaills player missed most of the league campaign because of an ankle injury picked up in the early contest against Roscommon but is now back to full fitness."We're in a good position. We didn't make it out of Division Two, but at the same time, I think we were happy with where we are," added Mackin, whose Nigerian father Eloka Asokuh came to Donegal in the early noughties to play for Finn Harps and has remained there ever since with his boss James Daly has lost the services of experienced campaigners such as Niamh McLaughlin, Katy Herron, Tara Hegarty and Amy Boyle Carr but is still able to call upon the likes of skipper Roisin Rodgers, Evelyn McGinley, Niamh Boyle and Susanne who have been introduced into the Donegal squad include Rhiana McColgan, Ciara McGarvey, Ava Walsh and Laoise Ryan.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Donegal Ladies star urges fans to take in Ulster final double-header in Clones
With the recent spell of fine weather set to continue into the weekend, the beer gardens of Clones might be appealing for those attending Saturday's Ulster final between Armagh and Donegal. However, Donegal Ladies star Abigail Temple Asokuh is urging fans to get to St Tiernach's Park in good time to watch the Ulster Ladies final, which throws-in at 3pm ahead of the men's final at 5.25pm. The Ladies final is also a repeat of last year's decider with Armagh winning after extra-time. "It's great opening for the men. It's great coverage for us,' said Asokuh. READ MORE: Armagh vs Donegal team news as Kieran McGeeney makes one change for Ulster SFC Final clash READ MORE: Armagh All-Ireland hero opens up on injury nightmare with comeback shelved until All-Ireland series 'And what better team to go up against than Armagh. That's where you want to be. So it'll be a great occasion for us. 'It's a going to be a big build-up in the entire county. Hopefully, the Donegal fans turn up for our game too and don't leave it late to get out of the pubs! 'Obviously it would be great if lots more people showed up.' The Donegal defender also feels that having a double-header with the men's final can only help the LGFA in terms of promoting Ladies Football. 'I feel double headers are great,' added Asokuh. 'After Saturday, we'll see how people feel about it as well. There will be more chat about it but I do think it is a great idea. 'It's going to be great to have the two games in one day at Clones but it's a matter of the people wanting to go and watch these Ladies. We are just as good. 'We have amazing players across the whole country and some are probably better than some of the men to be honest. It's just a case of getting people out to these games and showing them how good we are.' She added: "I think it just needs to keep going. We can't just stop at this. Like there's definitely more steps we can take to get up there but it is definitely improving and this is just another great day to show like we are heading in the right direction. "More coverage on the games would be great. The Division One and some of the Division Two games get covered but it's not so much in Divisions Three and Four. Lidl are doing great promotional work but we just need to get more people to come on board with us. Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
