By Shaun Casey

DEFENDING Ulster champions Eglish look to retain their Intermediate crown this weekend, having just secured the 2020 title 53 days ago. That was with an impressive 3-11 to 1-3 win over Clonduff back in early December.

Now almost two months later, Armagh star Ciara Donnelly will once again lead her side into battle in another Ulster final (against Portaferry), having given a Player of the Match display in the 2020 Ulster decider, scoring 2-7 of her sides tally.

“It doesn’t feel that long ago since we were in the 2020 competition. After a wee bit of a break after the All-Ireland semi-final (loss to Rynagh’s) we’ve been back out just from the start of January and just tried to improve on the areas that let us down and just basically focusing on ourselves and improving on our strengths,” she said.

“We have the cup at the minute and obviously we want to try our best to hold tight. It was a quick turnaround but the fact the age thing comes into play, and we were able to gain a few more players to the panel. The younger girls that have been training with us all year, now they can tog out along with us and add to the day itself as well.”

Donnelly believes having the two competitions so close is a positive. Concentration switched to the 2021 competition sharply after their semi-final defeat just before Christmas while their opponents Portaferry have had a long wait since claiming the Down title back in mid-November.

“It definitely was a benefit; it was good to have the games to bridge the gap. Portaferry haven’t had a competitive game for quite a while so maybe that’s something that will hopefully be to our advantage. We’ve just had to shake off the last defeat and concentrate on keeping hold of the Ulster title,” she explains.

While Eglish head into the game as favourites, the tag won’t lay heavily on their shoulders.

“We’ve been in this position a good few times over the last seven or eight years so it’s not unfamiliar territory. A new opponent is going to bring a different dimension to it as well. We know Portaferry are very good side, they’ve one of the best players in Ireland in Niamh Mallon and I’ve seen the damage she can do,” she adds.

“We’re well aware of her but the players around her can do just as much damage so we’re just really focused on ourselves and performing as best as we can and hopefully that’ll be enough on the day.”

Donnelly will once again take the field with her two sisters Aisling and team captain Leanne and hopes to once again experience that winning feeling at the full-time whistle.
“It’s great that the three of us are back on the pitch playing together,” Ciara concludes.

“To win is nice but to win with your two sisters on the pitch playing beside you, it makes it a whole lot more special. There’s a few groups of sisters on the team and we’ve a cousin we play alongside as well so it definitely a special feeling and hopefully we can get that feeling back on Saturday.”