READY AND ABLE!
Wicklow hoping to get off to a winning start this weekend
WICKLOW begin their camogie championship campaign this Saturday in Arklow against Westmeath in what will be the first of four group games for the Garden women in the coming five weeks. The ladies will also play at home in their second match against Dublin before concluding the group with away matches against Waterford and Offaly on successive weekends.
There’s no doubt that the calibre of opposition is high and the fact that this will be the first time in seven years that Wicklow have competed in the camogie championship means that it will be a big test for all involved but following a successful Spring, where Wicklow narrowly lost the Junior final to Offaly in a replay, their manager and Laois native Brendan Phelan is confident about times ahead.
“We will be facing some quality sides but the girls have played some good sides already this year and shown that they’re more than capable of competing with them.
“Westmeath are probably the favourites to win the group as they narrowly lost the Intermediate final so that will be a major test for us straight away but one we’re all looking forward to.”
“Playing them at home in the first match is probably not a bad time and the fact that we’ve had an extra competitive game to them because of the replay against Offaly could be a positive as well but there’s no doubt they will be a huge challenge.
Laois beat them in the inter- mediate final and we gave Laois a good run for their money in a challenge game so we know we can compete with them but it’s just about performing on the day.”
“I think it’s brilliantly getting challenged by this calibre of opposition as it will improve the girls as players and hopefully get them prepared for what is to come in the following games.
“The intensity will be a big step up from what they experience in club games in Wicklow so it will be dealing with that which will be the key to our success in the group.”
Although Wicklow will be underdogs to progress from the group Phelan believes there is great ability in the group and that they have the capacity to reach the knock out stages.
“The top two teams from the group of five go through to the semi-finals where they each play one of the top two from the other side of the draw and our aim is to reach the semi-finals.
“It will be difficult as Westmeath operate in Division 2 in the League and Dublin in Division 3 while Waterford and Offaly have some class players as well but we believe in the girls.
“No match will be easy and we’ll probably go into all of them as underdogs but we showed against Offaly both days how competitive we are so it’s just about taking it up another notch and getting over the line.”
Phelan does however have some injuries concerns to contend with ahead of the opener against Westmeath.
“Our joint captain Nóra O’Neill is a doubt for the first game and Kellie O’Neill is struggling with an ankle injury so it will be 50/50 whether or not she will be available as well. We have a strong panel though and there are girls well capable of stepping in and doing a job if called upon.”
“The fact that we’re at home against Westmeath and then Dublin will definitely spur us on and it would be great if people could get out and support the girls as that extra lift which they can generate is invaluable.”
Throw in for the opening clash with Westmeath is 2.30pm this Saturday in Pearse’s Park, Arklow where Phelan and his charges will strive for two points and a win which would be a huge step in the right direction.