TYRONE OPEN LEAGUE CAMPAIGN
PADDY HUNTER

After their exploits in the Dowd cup at the weekend a host of Tyrone players will don the red hand shirts again this Sunday as Michaela O’Neills side attempt to get their Suzuki national league campaign up and running.

O’Neill and her players were left twiddling their thumbs a fortnight ago as the opening day of the season and an away trip to Mayo was rained and snowed off at the last minute. The Tyrone squad instead gathered for a get together at Clan Na Gael and continued their build up.

That build up has been good, the genial Tyrone boss has everyone available again and despite the universities action last week O’Neill has a clean bill of health as her side goes to Laios. The Leinster side beat Tyrone twice last year but in the championship there was little between the sides with Begley and Gormley impressive in Cavan.

The league campaign is still very much a priority for Tyrone this season, top flight football is a good tester for the beaten all Ireland semi-finalists as they bid to reach and indeed get their hands on the Ulster championship this Summer. The management team have made no secret about the targets they have set this new look squad, a brand of great experience mixed with a host of quality youth and it could certainly be the mix that will see Tyrone develop into the finished article.

In terms of the Dowd cup The University of Ulster Jordanstown eclipsed Queens in the decider and amongst the score getters was a fully fit again Neamh Woos and Cathy Donnelly. “The Poly” also claimed the McNally plate for good measure, but this weekend its back to the grindstone says O’Neill, who herself was named Omagh captain this week,

“ We were disappointed that the game with Mayo did not go ahead, we were well prepared, we had focused all week on them and I really feel we were up for the task, we tried to get the game in Tyrone, but we were left frustrated with that. We had a pitch arranged but then Mayo would not travel, so now we must just get ready for what will be our opening clash”

Laios have spent the Winter introducing several new faces but the likes of Kirwan and a clutch of experienced players will be on call to cause Tyrone problems away from home.

At club level in Tyrone clubs are reminded that all fees are now due for the new season, fixtures will be released shortly and the new fixtures committee are also producing a new handbook, all details should be with Kevin Cassidy as soon as possible. Dates for holy communion, confirmation and free dates should also be forwarded to Eileen Connolly.