TRALEE IS THE focus for ladies football this weekend with some of the best players in the country in action in the O’Connor Cup and Giles Cup.
Here’s six players that will be in action.
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1. Mairead Daly (WIT and Offaly)
Mairead Daly is a player with real class, she is a forward who just guarantees that the scoreboard will be kept ticking over. Daly was the young star who propelled Offaly to the TG4 All-Ireland junior title in 2013 in a campaign that saw her selected as the Junior Players Player of the Year at the end of that season.
She missed the 2014 season through injury but returned last year to turn in a brilliant performance in the Division 4 league final against an unbeaten Limerick side scoring 3-01 in an inspirational performance.
The bottom line is that when Daly gets the ball- she scores.
2. Meghan Glynn (UCD and Galway)
UCD are in the fortunate position to have a number of brilliant young stars amongst their ranks including players like Lucy Collins, Elaine Scally and Nicola Ward but Meghan Glynn is starting to get people to really sit up and take notice.
The Claregalway star is one of the most promising young footballers in the country. She starred in midfield for the Galway minors last year and has already progressed to the same position for the Galway seniors easing the loss of Annette Clarke to retirement.
Meghan announced her arrival as she was named player of the match for her club as Claregalway claimed the Intermediate All Ireland title in 2013, she was only 16 at the time.
Meghan is a real driving force in the middle of the field and can be a difference maker for this young UCD side.
3. Eimear Scally (UCC and Cork)
Possibly the most talented young footballer in the country, this star has already been a member of the Cork senior panel for several years and has won two All-Ireland titles. Her most memorable contribution to date was to score a goal in the famous 2014 comeback victory over Dublin.
After coming on as a sub, she famously demanded to be put on the field with the promise ‘I’ll get you a goal’ she didn’t disappoint.
Scally had a similar impact as a point scorer against the same opposition last year just weeks after captaining the Rebellettes to All Ireland minor glory.
Although small in stature her ability to win all kinds of ball, her eye for goal and her unerring accuracy make her possibly the most potent forward in Tralee this weekend. She is no stranger to the odd spectacular goal.
4. Niamh Kelly (St. Pat’s and Mayo)
Another forward to watch out for but she is one that has already made a big impression in her native Mayo. Niamh was a class act at underage level and was earmarked for success at an early age.
She led St. Pat’s to success in CIT in last year’s O’Connor Cup weekend as captain and Player of the Match and has since gone on to be a key player for Mayo. Her performances at full forward for Mayo in 2015 allowed Cora Staunton to be released into a deeper role and her pace and skill mark her out as a huge danger for opposing defences.
She is likely to line out around midfield for St. Pat’s but will be expected to make a big impact on the scoreline.
5. Lorraine O’Shea (DCU and Tipperary)
In a team that includes players of the calibre of Sarah Rowe, Bríd O’Sullivan and Siobhan Woods it is pretty difficult to stand out but that is exactly what Lorraine O’Shea does. She is one of the hardest working players on the field and is hugely versatile.
She could line out in any of the back six positions but is equally comfortable in midfield or in the half forward line.
Her performance in last year’s O’Connor Cup Final made her the most effective player for DCU in what was ultimately a losing campaign but she went on to be named on the Colleges Allstar team in the middle of the field.
She will be expected to pop up with a few scores herself and is most effective with ball in hand and space to run into.
Lorraine is also part of a resurgent Tipperary team that are sitting near the top of Division 3 in the Lidl NFL.
6. Juliet Murphy (CIT and Cork)
Simply the best. Juliet Murphy will be remembered as possibly the best ladies footballer of the modern era. She is a three time All-Ireland winning captain with Cork and owner of six Allstars and a Player’s Player of the Year award winner.
This Cork legend has returned from retirement to represent her college in this competition and will provide the coolest of heads for her team.
She has been there and done that and many will be keeping a close eye to see if Juliet has still got the ‘JMF’ as described by her team captain and Cork senior panellist (Jessica O’Shea).
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