Sligo hoping to get to the next stage in Croke Park

ALL roads are leading to Ballyshannon this Saturday as Sligo ladies face Tyrone in the All-Ireland Intermediate semi-final with Paddy Henry’s charges out for revenge on the same opponents who defeated them at the same stage last year too.

Fr Tierney Park is the location for the decider with both teams hoping to make it to Croke Park if victory is theirs.

This is very much a new-look Sligo team this year and the faces coming into the fold have gelled well with the side boosted too by veteran captain Noelle Gormley and the returning Stephanie O’Reilly.

This is the Yeats women’s third semi-final in a row and they will be aiming to go one step further on Saturday.

Last year they were ruing missed opportunities against their Northern opponents with numerous wides and a missed penalty adding to the disappointment.

Now Paddy Henry’s side are out to avenge that defeat as they take on what many predict as the favourites for the All-Ireland this year.

The Tourlestrane man knows the Northerners will be no easy contenders but he admits his side are ready for the challenge.

Paddy told the Sligo Champion: “We are really looking forward to it now.

“We are back in the semi-final, our 3rd one in 3 years so now it is time to turn the table.”

Having the game in Ballyshannon is also a good thing from a Sligo perspective he added. “It’s great that the game is in Ballyshannon it is a really handy venue for us as it’s only 50 minutes up the road.

“So on that aspect we will accept that,” he added. With Tyrone being the same opponents last year Paddy knows they will be a big challenge on Saturday.

“They beat us in last year’s semi-final so I presume it will be the same team and not many changes.

“They are probably the favourites for the All-Ireland and they beat us by 8 points last year.

“We kicked a lot of wides though in that game and missed a penalty too so they were all factors really.

“In terms of footballing wise I think we matched them so we are looking forward to a good game and this time looking to match them on the scoreboard.”

Sligo had to make do with a number of players not available this year and the younger players stepping up to the mark have certainly impressed the manager.

Paddy said: “I suppose we had a bit of a bad League campaign.

“A lot of girls were taking breaks, many were doing their final exams and others were off touring.

“The young girls coming in fitted in really well alongside the more experienced girls.

“It’s great to have Elise Codd back and Stephanie O’Reilly too bringing all her experience.

“Noelle Gormley too, our captain, was out with a bad injury and is now back too which is great.

“Noelle is a big plus to the team and a fantastic captain.

“She really gets the girls going and works very hard with the girls,” he added.

He said the talent coming through bodes well for the future of ladies football in Sligo too.

“We have a few minors who are doing very well, the likes of Claire Dunne, Aoife Morrisroe and Michelle McNamara who was a minor last year.

“There are a good few others too and it is great to see the likes of these talents coming through, it is what the county wants.”

Looking ahead to Saturday, Sligo ladies are ready and relishing the chance at getting past their opponents.

Luckily too Paddy says there are no injuries too. “Hopefully now we will do the business on the day. Thankfully we don’t have any injuries ahead of the game apart from the few niggles that is normal.”

With the match being played in a ven- ue only a short distance away, Paddy is hoping the black and white fans will make the journey.

“Hopefully now a good crowd will travel from Sligo and that we will get back to Croke Park. It would be great for the likes of Noelle and Stephanie who have played so long in Croke Park,” Paddy added.

Throw-in in Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon is 4pm on Saturday.