Garrity confident in Leitrim's ability ahead of crucial Lidl LGFA Division 4 Semi-Final clash with Limerick

To Leitrim are eager for next Sunday’s Lidl LGFA Division 4 Semi-Final is perhaps understating things as manager Jonny Garrity believes in his team’s ability to defeat Limerick and win promotion back to Division 3.

Leitrim take on Limerick in Padraig Pearses GAA grounds outside Ballinasloe in south Roscommon, favourites to advance to the final and with that, a place in Division 3 for 2025 with two teams going up this year. It means it is a game Garrity and his players are very much looking forward to!

“One we’re looking forward to immensely, we’re just concentrating on trying to get a performance on the day,” was Jonny’s reply when asked about his anticipation for Sunday’s clash (1 pm throw-in), adding “Preparation has been really, really good so we’re looking forward to it now.”

It is a game that potentially gets Leitrim out of Division 4 but the idea of promotion is not the first thing on Garrity’s mind: “We’re not looking at the implications too closely, we want to win the competition, that’s the first thing so we will be looking at this as another step in our journey towards the silverware we set out at the start of the season to achieve. It just so happens it has got promotion as an implication but we want to go and win the competition.”

Focusing on the process is the common mantra in sport but sometimes the implications of what a game means can intrude on the thoughts, yet the Leitrim manager is confident his players know how to focus on the task in hand: “We’re conscious of keeping to our process but at the same time, we know that our chances of winning are only going to be improved by doing the little things that make up a performance.

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“We can’t focus on the outcome, we can’t focus on wanting to win - Limerick will want to win as much as we do so we have to control the things we can control and that’s the elements that make up the performance. All our focus is on that and hopefully in the end, it will amount to a good performance on the day that will deliver the result we’re after.”

The fact that it is now knockout football and that all of Leitrim’s performances in this campaign can be wiped away if Limerick can often inhibit a team but Jonny is confident his players can handle whatever pressures there are: “It is knockout football, we know what is at stake, we’re very, very determined and very happy with where we’re at and that’s a lovely feeling going into a big match. 

“You’re not reaching, not wishing you’re somewhere else and we’re really looking forward to putting it together in a performance on Sunday.”

Limerick pose a  challenge, drawing with the Green & Gold last year in the League and pushing them hard in Ballinamore this year and Garrity is expecting a tough challenge next Sunday: “Since that day in Ballinamore, Limerick have put together a good run and they’ll be targeting this game and because of that match last year, they’ll have no fear of us. 

“We know we’re going to have to work very, very hard and play a good high calibre of football but again, that’s what we’re prepared to do and we’re just looking forward to getting out there. They changed their management from last season and last season there was a lot of energy coming from behind the play, they were extremely quick on the break from the half-back line. 

“They’ve still got that ability and we’re still seeing it this season but it is probably more of a deliberate build-up this season. They’ve got great footballers all around the pitch so we know they will come with that, plenty of energy but it doesn’t matter who you are up against at this stage, it is a semi final, you know you are going to have to perform because any team that has got to a semi-final is a good team. 

“We would have a lot of respect for Limerick, we know the calibre of their footballers is very high and they showed that in the League match last year and obviously they went on and got within a few points of gaining promotion to Intermediate Football in Croke. We’re going to have to be very good, we know that but as I say, I think we’re very content with where we’re at and we’re looking forward to showing that.”

Leitrim have built some serious competition for places and Jonny is very happy to have a problem in trying to pick his team: “We’re building nicely and over the course of the year and a half I’ve been here, there are players who really embraced what we’re trying to do, they are improving match on match. When you put that into the mix with real seasoned campaigners like Charlene Tyrell, Michelle Guckian, Clare Owens, you’ve got a really nice mix. 

Kasey Bruen in action against Limerick in Ballinamore Picture: Stefan Hoare

“We’re blessed with what we have at our disposal and we try to give them the opportunity to go out and express themselves and play football in a nice attacking manner. We’d like to think it is bringing out the best in them and hopefully on Sunday, they’ll be able to express that again.

“No immediate concerns injury wise and we have rotated some of the players over the course of the latter stages of the league. We’re mindful that it is a very long campaign but when you get to the semi-final stage, you’re looking at bringing everybody in and picking your best team. That’s not easy and it will be difficult but we will be really confident in who we finish with as well as who we start with.”

An unfortunate clash with the Men’s game against Tipperary is unavoidable but it won’t provide any distraction for the ladies team: “It is what it is. It is better for the county that the men are competing and we wish them well. It is one of those things and something that happens quite a lot in terms of clashes and it is not something that bothers us, we’re concentrating on the game.”

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As for a verdict, Garrity is confident in the ability of his players: “We’re confident in that we know the ability that we’ve got and we know the determination is there. It is not an advantage to want to win because everybody wants to win but the girls have shown that they’re willing to do what it takes to win over the course of this League campaign and the build-up to this match. 

“They’ve been very vigilant and put a lot of work in and that can only give you confidence. As much as we know the opposition are a good high calibre team, we’re confident in our own ability and hopefully on the day we will get the performance we know is in us.”