Ladies seek victory at Breffni to ensure survival

A quiet build up has been the order of the day for Tyrone Senior Ladies manager Kevin McCrystal this week as the Red Hands get set to face Cavan in a winner takes all league clash at Kingspan Breffni Park this Sunday.

The Tyrone manager knows what’s at stake, with a win ensuring their Division Two status next season, and he is happy at the way their preparations have went with basically a clean bill of health.

Tyrone go into the game a single point ahead of Cavan in the table. Gerry Moane’s side suffered a heavy loss to Armagh at the weekend which also dented their scoring difference ( Cavan now -10, Tyrone -11) so it’s all to play for at the weekend.

Tyrone secured their only point of the league campaign last time out as they drew with Monaghan at Cookstown although the original result produced a win for the Farney.

After an appeal and subsequent confirmation from the referee that she failed to register a first half Tyrone point the outcome was overturned leading to this weekend’s high-stakes trip to Breffni. While relieved to eventually get something on the board after the Monaghan match was eventually declared a draw McCrystal felt his side should have had the win.

“We should have got more out of that game but we now have a point on the board and we are certainly looking forward to this Cavan game.”

McCrystal is expecting a tough test against the Breffni girls who put it up to the league leaders Armagh and carved out numerous chances.

There’s no doubt they could cause McCrystal’s side plenty of problems on home soil with several players also coming in.

“We know that they are a fantastic team but we will have our squad prepared and will go out and give our all to get the win and stay in Division Two,” added McCrystal.

In reality Tyrone have shown improvement since they lost to Armagh on the opening day.

They welcomed back Chloe McCaffrey to the attack, while Sasha Byrne and Niamh O’Neill have looked sharp.

McCrystal has made no secret of the fact that this season is about league consolidation ahead of the Ulster and All-Ireland Intermediate Championship and surviving in Division Two would be a massive boost with players still due back in to the squad.

“We’re in a rebuilding process. We’re happy how we’re performing at the minute as we get ready for the Intermediate Championship.

“We also have three girls coming back from long injuries so that will help us to build as well,” he confirmed.

Cavan won the responding fixture comfortably last year and with a full hand to select from they will be confident again on this occasion of avoiding the drop zone. Throw-in time at Cavan is 2pm.