Shane O’Neills are flying fit for upcoming Ulster opener

By Shaun Casey

SHANE O’Neill’s are set to take their first ever steps into senior provincial football and manager Sean O’Kane has a fully fit squad to pick from as they travel to Cavan to face Knockbride this weekend.

The Camlough club did reach the All-Ireland Intermediate final 10 years ago, where they lost to Annaghdown of Galway, but having won their first ever Senior Championship title this year, they’re now ready for a crack at Ulster.

Aimee Mackin was sensational in the county final, kicking 1-12 as they defeated Crossmaglen. Her sister Blaithin starred at midfield with 0-4 while captain Louise Kenny and Moya Sheridan have inter-county experience as well.

With the new round robin structure in place this season, O’Hare’s ladies will lock horns with Knockbride this Sunday before hosting Steelstown of Derry in round two.

“We have a fully clear bill of health from our point of view, we’ll be tapering down now in the lead up to the game, but everyone is raring to go,” said the former Tyrone Ladies boss.

“Everybody is excited to represent Shane O’Neill’s and Armagh in Ulster so we’re looking forward to it. If you have a clean bill of health and you can get a bit of luck on the day, get the bounce of the ball, I don’t think there’ll be too much in it. Hopefully we get over the line.”

Knockbride, who won the All-Ireland Intermediate title last December at Croke Park, already have a game under their belt in Ulster having defeated Steelstown in round one last weekend.

A goal at the start of the second half from wing back Niamh Smith, along with 0-4 from Abby Reilly, saw the Cavan girls win by six in the end, 1-11 to 0-8.

O’Kane was an interested spectator at the contest and got an insight into what his team will be facing come Sunday afternoon.

“They are all hard groups and Knockbride have come up from winning the All-Ireland Intermediate last year.

“ I watched their game in Steelstown last weekend and they were very, very good.

“There are good teams all around, there’s nothing easy when you get to this level.

“We have a bit of an idea of what we’re facing into, but they’ll have an idea of what we can do as well.

“There are not many matches that aren’t videoed nowadays, that’s the way the thing is. If we play well in Cavan, which will be difficult enough, we’ll be there when it matters.”