Barrett happy to put injury woes behind her

AFTER two injury hit years Drumragh’s Joanne Barrett is now back enjoying her football and focused on a return to Croke Park.

Joanne has re-established herself in the number three jersey this season in the County panel as the Red Hand girls remain unbeaten in their promising Division Two campaign.

Almost six years after she played a key role in Tyrone’s Intermediate All-Ireland final success of 2018, the journey back to the top has been one of the toughest experiences of Joanne’s career.

A number of serious concussions knocked her back. She lost confidence, with only limited training possible and the stark reality confronting her that this could be the end of the road football wise.

A telephone call to Omagh physio Martin McCrory kick started her recovery. He helped her get proper advice and once Joanne was under the care of the experts the long road back began.

While a back problem restricted her involvement in 2023, at last through determination, some lonely nights in the gym and with the right care Joanne is delighted now to be back in the Tyrone colours.

“ After all the concussions and that bad back last year it’s great to get a run in the team again, but you know there’s players in the squad snapping at your heels, looking for your jersey,” confirmed the Ballynahinch based teacher.

Barrett feels her re-integration is made easier with the quality around her in the Tyrone fold.

“ The girls out the park make life easier for me. If they can win the ball that’s great or they make difficult for the attacker I know too I have to win the ball. I have to get to it first.”

Joanne is now one of the older heads in the squad as they line up for the two remaining league games ahead of the trip to Croke Park for the Divsion Two Final, starting against Kildare this Sunday in Beragh.

“ When I came in there was the likes of Neamh Woods and Gemma Begley. They set the standards for that group so now it’s strange being the one to set the standards and help guide the younger players.

“ Those girls though have done well and the new girls that have come in are brilliant. We have nineteen new players that came in this year and I suppose that could have upset the whole thing but we have gelled really really well and the girls are willing to listen.

“ They have brought real freshness to the team and great positivity, so it puts pressure on the starting fifteen.”

The Tyrone match up with Kildare is a dress rehearsal for that Final with the Lilywhites and the Tyrone boss Sean O’Kane may well want to get a psychological edge before the Croker date.

As Barrett explains winning is a good habit and the Tyrone side are growing in confidence.

“ You think after the first win maybe there’s a wee bit of luck but when you are beating some quality senior teams and things are going well you know there’s something happening. You grow in that confidence. There’s a buzz in training and everyone is pushing each other, there’s no doubt you have to up your game.”

Joanne was a key component of the 2018 squad that collected the All-Ireland title on their last visit to HQ and the soft spoken Clanabogan woman says there’s a similar feeling with this present group.

“To be honest there’s a similar type of feeling that we had in 2018. The whole thirty-six players in the squad back then pushed each other on and it’s the same thing now. No one begrudges a player a shirt. It’s a case of how can I make myself known in that team and show the management what I can do, you want to be doing that all the time.”