Éabha Lennon: “I’m a fan of the dual players”

THIS week, Éabha Lennon looks at the opponents from her career…

Age: 19.

Teams played for: Mullabrack ladies, St. Brenda’s Camogie Club, Ballymacnab, Ulster University ladies, Armagh camogie, Armagh ladies to minor level, St. Patrick’s High School, Keady camogie and football teams.

Who are your main rivals?

Football would probably be Clan na Gael, and camogie would be our neighbours Granemore.

Which opposition ground do you like playing on and why?

Killeavy’s good pitch is always in great condition, nice surface and wide, plenty of space to run.

Which opposition ground do you dislike going to and why?

Derrynoose – it’s quite small and is mostly marshy any time I play on it.

What team have you enjoyed the most success against?

Probably Derrynoose in the camogie. One year at u-16 we had to replay the championship final three times. The first game was a draw, the second game we won but there was an issue with the amount of time played – so we had to go again! Thankfully we won, again.

Which team have you enjoyed least success against?

Clan na Gael in the football – lost against them in the league final in 2021 and lost against them in the 2021 Minor Championship final.

Which opposition player have you enjoyed marking?

Anyone I come up against in university football, as you’re marking someone you know nothing about, which is something I love about uni football.

Which opposition player have you disliked marking?

In football it’s toss-up between Frances Keenan from Cullyhanna or Anna Mulholland from Antrim. Both dual players playing netball for NI so they’re very strong and fit – but I enjoy the challenge.

Which player would you transfer in from a team you have come up against?

I’d probably look to players who play similar positions as myself, so Frances Keenan from Cullyhannah or Niamh Marley, Lissummon. Camogie would have to be Jennifer Curry, Middletown, for her pace and her great awareness on the field; or Ciara Hill from Granemore – she’s a great dual player also. I’m a fan of the dual players.

Which team, apart from your own, do you like to see do well and why?

Whitecross, as that would be the club my brother plays for.

What’s the most frustrating defeat you have experienced?

Definitely the Senior camogie 2022 final against Granemore when we lost by a point in the last minute of extra-time with a high dropping ball into the back of the net. We were going for four in a row which makes it even worse.

What’s the most satisfying victory you have experienced?

Football would be the Giles Cup semi-final against DCU where we won by a point in extra-time. Such an exciting game to be a part of! Camogie would be the u-16 championship win after the three replays.

What is the best score you’ve seen from an opponent?

I mind one time seeing Alex Clarke of Crossmaglen point a 45 back in u-16.

Which team, apart from your own, do you expect big things of in the coming years?

Derrynoose in the football, they’re well coached throughout their underage ranks.

Best opponent for post-match hospitality?

Ballymachugh in Cavan. They showed great hospitality when we stayed down for the 2017 Féile.

Which club, apart from your own, has the most impressive facilities?

Silverbridge GAC, I’d use their running track a lot.