Coveys come again in search of senior breakthrough

A year older and a year wiser is something that will stand to Westport next Sunday. At least that’s the expectation of Janette O’Malley, the team captain who admits that nerves may have played a part in Westport’s final defeat to Knockmore 12 months ago.

O’Malley was part of that Westport team to reach a first ever senior final last year and is confident that the experience of that day will see them play the game this time around, and not the occasion.

“You know it was a big occasion when we got there. It was the first time and I think nerves possibly played a part. You could see it maybe in the first-half, Knockmore had that bit more experience than we had. So we're hoping this year that will all have settled a bit and you know, the occasion possibly won't be as big for us,” Janette told the Western People.

“We're delighted to be here, obviously. We had our sights set on this after last year. We're hoping to minimise injuries at this stage of the year because it's been fairly back-to-back with every weekend in-a-row, so we're just prioritising recovery and hoping to put out the strongest team we can.” 

Janette, along with her teammates, is also delighted to have the benefit of a two-week break heading into this final, as opposed to the week-on-week schedule that was the championship last year, and this year too up until the semi-final. While that fortnight could also mean too much time to think about the occasion, she sees the positives more than anything else.

“The reality is when you're playing championship football, it's high intensity. There's hard tackles going in and people are going to pick up knocks so the two weeks makes a big difference because it just gives people a bit of down time. Anyone who is carrying anything, they can just get a bit of recovery in and hopefully get back on the pitch in time.

“The two weeks, we were all grateful for it. It just gives you more time for preparation, it gives you more time for recovery. I think all the clubs all over Mayo would say the same.” 

Knockmore have unquestionably usurped Carnacon as the dominant force of Mayo ladies club football but Westport are hot on their heels. They stormed through their group with convincing wins over Carnacon, Hollymount and Kilmovee before coming through a nail-biting semi-final with Burrishoole, the side who beat them at the same stage in 2022.

A valuable mix of experience from the likes of former Mayo defender Noirín Moran to current Mayo stars Aoife Staunton and Aoife Geraghty, coupled with members of the minor team making their senior debuts, has given this side the push to potentially go one step further.

“We always want young players coming through in competition. I think we have a nice balance this year. We have more experienced players, there's Noirín Moran, Nicola (O’Malley), Tara Hastings, Roisin Scott, that’ve been there a while and equally we have this year a few minors who made their senior debuts, Christina McEvilly, Larissa (Kelly) and Saoirse Byrne.

“There's a great mix I think, which is what you need. You need that bit of experience but also it's great to have the young players and their energy to come through.”