Breaffy ladies have come a long way in the past decade and now just stand 60 minutes away from an All Ireland final appearance. It was only a few years ago that they won their first county junior title and they have been making steady progress through the intermediate ranks to claim their first intermediate title after seeing off Cill Chomain in the county final in Crossmolina. They followed it up with a win over Clonbur in the Connacht semi-final the following week, before coming from behind to see off the challenge of Sligo champions, St Michael’s. Their reward for their incredible journey so far is a plum home draw in the All Ireland semi-final against Dublin and Leinster champions St Brigid’s this Sunday. And on Sunday it is not going to be any less of a challenge for the ladies in blue and white than they have faced down so far this year. The visitors have a number of quality players like All Star shortlisted Colleen Barrett and Sorcha Furlong. The Dublin side overcame Garrycastle from Westmeath by a comprehensive scoreline of 2-11 to 1-4 in their provincial decider a few weeks ago and will pose a stern test for the Breaffy side.
Not that Breaffy don’t possess a number of star turns themselves, Michelle Naughton will patrol the key centre half back position and keep an eye on what is going on around her, along with Ashling Grealis she will be key to shutting down the Brigid’s attack. The midfield duo of Mayo midfielder Sinead Hughes and Mary Naughton will have to be the driving force for their side in the middle third ensuring they get enough good ball into their dangerous forward line, where Sinead Murphy has the potential to bag a couple of goals if she gets the right ball and hits form. Rebecca Conway and Tara McGurren will be expected to chip in with a couple of scores each.
Home advantage could swing this on the Breaffy side’s way and as they have shown so far in the championship, even when the chips look down they don’t throw in the towel.
Breaffy v St Brigid’s
Breaffy, Sunday November 8
Throw in: 2pm
