Sasha delighted with Aghyaran backing

SUNDAY will be a proud day for the gaels of Aghyaran, with two of their own key figures in the Tyrone Ladies squad that will take to the field at Croke Park.

Aoibhinn McHugh is set to lead the team out onto the hallowed turf while among those following behind her will be clubmate Sasha Byrne, who has weighed in with a couple of key goals already in the Red Hands excellent league campaign.

She states that everyone at St Davog’s is backing their local heroines in their quest for victory at Croker this weekend.

“The club is buzzing. Aghyaran is a great club in terms of supporting their players. If there is anything they can do for me and Aoibhinn they are more than happy to do it.

“I was chatting to Anne-Marie Meehan last week and she was saying there was a bus going from the club, with the under-14s, 16s and Seniors all going down. So there will be a big crowd there from Aghyaran.

“Overall Tyrone Ladies are really pushing for a big turn out of support and hopefully everyone will get behind us.

“On a big pitch like Croke Park all the support will be needed. Hopefully we can bring the cup back and everyone can celebrate even more.”

Sasha admits that the current scenario seemed a mere pipe dream when the side reconvened prior to Christmas to prepare for the 2024 season.

“It’s a bit mad when you think about it,” she continued.

“Whenever we started back training in November things were a bit up in the air because of girls leaving, due to retirements and others away travelling. New girls came in but we just didn’t know where we really sat.

“ But once the training started we got a good feel of things. We all knuckled down and pushed hard at training in pre-season. I suppose we are reaping the rewards now and getting to play at Croke Park is what you dream of.”

Attempting to put her finger on the reason for Tyrone’s turnaround in fortunes thus far in 2024, Byrne feels a greater consistency in terms of their performance levels has been vital.

“Last year we had a good bunch of players too but we lacked consistency.

“This year we have a good bond among the team and results and performances have been more consistent.

“I suppose some were considering us for relegation at the start of the league but it’s testament to this group of girls that we went undefeated and got promoted in the process.

“Occasions like this definitely don’t come around too often for Tyrone.

“ It’s a big opportunity and we are really looking forward to it. Kildare are a great team and it should make for a great final. We are definitely going to have to bring our A-game.”