A season that could provide profound change for Tyrone will get underway on the banks of the Mourne on Sunday with Westmeath the visitors to Naomh Eoghan in the opening contest of the Lidl Ladies National League.
Manager Sean O’Kane is focused on the positives in Division Two ahead of the campaign. A clutch of first timers give Tyrone a new look in what will be a very competitive league, with some big hitters in Kildare and Donegal joining the likes of Tipperary and Cavan.
The Tyrone girls will host matches at five different home venues in the league season, something which O’Kane feels should benefit his side after a tough 2023 season that took them all over the Country.
“After some long journeys last year it’s great for us to get those five home games this year in the league and the two away fixtures are relatively close by too,” stated O’Kane.
Tyrone secured nine league points last season. Two wins and the non appearance of Cavan ensured they maintained their status.
After several years of discussion the LGFA agreed with the trial of two up two down for the first time and a new look Red Hand side embark on the campaign with the genial O’Kane and his new lieutenant Barry Grimes focused on battling for one of those promotion berths.
2023 was a terrible year for Tyrone when it came to injuries, with at least ten members of the squad unavailable. O’Kane will be hoping that won’t be the case this term and he’s happy with the squad at this stage as the clock ticks toward the league.
While pleased to inject some fresh blood into the panel the Strabane native is glad the likes of Aoibhinn McHugh, Chloe McCaffrey and Joanne Barrett wil be donning the county jersey again.
“There is still a core group of experienced players from past few seasons which is complimented now with new faces so it makes it a very new looking Tyrone team with hopefully an exciting year ahead, ” stated O’Kane.
The manager will be targeting victories in those home fixtures and despite the youthful make-up of his squad he is upbeat about the programme of games ahead.
“ It’s going to be an exciting year ahead with a lot of new faces in our squad, some for the first time and others returning. It’s a nice blend and it’s about getting the right balance for the year ahead.
“ The girls are enjoying it and so far they have done whatever has been asked of them.”
O’Kane is once again assisted by his son Noel, as well as Moortown’s Fergal Quinn, while the inclusion of Beragh man Barry Grimes is an excellent addition.
He was assistant to Gerry Moane when Tyrone won the 2028 All-Ireland and went with the Fermanagh man to guide Cavan last year. After stepping away from the Breffni County he hadn’t much in the way of thinking to do when approached about a Tyrone return as it was Sean who got him involved in coaching initially.
Training at their base at Garvaghey, there’s a positive vibe in the camp and bar a couple of niggles ahead of this week O’Kane should have a strong squad available for selection.
Promotion will be target for Sean even though the league will be the most competitive in decades. O’Kane has a simple focus right now.
“ The new year goal is that we get a decent league campaign under our belt to set us up for a very competitive Ulster Championship. We will reassess our goals at the end of the League.”
Westmeath head to Newtownstewart with Frank Browne now at the helm. He announced this week that goalkeeper Lauren Mc Cormack from the Shamrocks in Mullingar will captain the side. She was in goals last year when they lost to Tyrone but they still finished above them on score difference in the table.
Browne is one of a handful of new managers cutting their teeth. He brings with him vast experience having managed Leitrim, Galway and Mayo in the past. He has a strong work ethic and has been happy the way his new faces have responded.
Meanwhile Tyrone will face a semi-final meeting with Monaghan in the Ulster Intermediate Championship this spring with the Red Hands avoiding a first round contest in the draw which was confirmed at the annual convention on Sunday.
Antrim who beat Tyrone in the final last year await the winners of Cavan and Down in the other last four tie.
With ‘Tyrone On Tour’ through the Lidl National League the Ladies County Board has appealed to the local communities and hosting clubs to get behind the team.
There is a double bill with the men on their opening day in the league (Sun Jan 28th) at Omagh with Tipperary the visitors and this will be an excellent opportunity to see the girls in action.
Other home game will be held at Moortown, Aghaloo and Beragh. The hosting clubs will pull out all the stops, and they and local schools will carry out their own promotion of the fixtures.
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