Ladies Footballers are driven to get back senior
TG4 All Ireland Intermediate Championship Preview
By Cóilín Duffy
TIPPERARY v MEATH
Ardfinnan
Sunday 14th July
Throw-in @ 2.00pm
Referee: Kevin Phelan (Laois)
Tipperary Ladies Football captain Samantha Lambert says her side are hugely driven to get back to the senior ranks, and a TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Final in Croke Park.
With Munster silverware in tow, Tipperary's focus now turns to the All-Ireland campaign and a home group tie against Meath this Sunday in Ardfinnan.
Lambert says having the experience of a Division 1 campaign behind them is going to be of a huge benefit.
“We got super matches up there against the best teams in the country, so we are hoping it will stand to us in the Championship this year,” she told the Nenagh Guardian at yesterday's Championship launch in Croke Park.
“We learned a lot from the league campaign and we have been working on it since, so hopefully all of those mistakes will help us in what we are hoping to achieve in Championship.”
In contrast to Tipperary, Meath are coming in hurt to this game, off the back of a Leinster final loss to Wexford.
Lambert agrees that it's an awkward time to be facing a team like the Royals, when they are a wounded animal.
“Definitely we are under no illusions as to what Meath are going to bring on Sunday. They are a very physical side and we know what the are capable of.
“They have some brilliant players and it will be a tough battle between the two of us,” she said.
18 of of the squad have been on minor panels in the last two years, and the bulk of the panel are Under 23 which is tremendous for the future. Lambert says the depth in the panel is going to be key in the coming weeks.
“Throughout the league we used 32 players, so all of the girls have got game-time,” she said.
“They are well used to playing up against unbelievable players. We are hoping that will stand to us, because the games are coming thick and fast week after week and it won't be easy to continue to play at a high standard, with just six days recovery.
“The whole panel is going to be very important!”
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