Champions Glencar Manorhamilton wary of challengers as they set their sights on sixth Leitrim LGFA title in a row says Dearbhla Rooney

They may be going for a sixth title in a row but Glencar Manorhamilton are wary of the challenge ahead of them according to captain Dearbhla Rooney.

Speaking at the launch of the Sweeney Oil Leitrim LGFA Club Championships, Dearbhla said that the champions expect a tough battle to retain the title: “It's getting harder and harder every year. St. Joseph's have beat us three times already this year and they've really been knocking on our door every year.

“So just hoping to see what way it goes and we'll try and push out and get the sixth in a row this year. That comes with a bit of pressure but it's something that's never stopped us and it's just made us even hungrier to keep going and keep pushing on every year and try and retain our title.“

The favourites tag may be on their shoulders but Dearbhla, a European & Olympic Youth boxing medalist, believes that Glencar Manor’s internal ambition is a key factor in their success: “It's just really special to be part of a team that's been so successful over the past few years and I think the standard of our team is raising every year. 

“The other teams in the county are just knocking on our door as well. Everyone wants the chance of getting the trophy so it's up to us to raise the bar each year but I think we're kind of used to that pressure now and we've kind of figured out how to turn it into excitement as well so I don't think it's something that's going to hold us back. 

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“I don't think there's any way of predicting what way the championship is going to go this year. We  have to focus on ourselves but the lads, our managers, have planned out the year really well.”

One complication for the champions is the loss of County star Ailbhe Clancy who has transferred to Dublin’s Clontarf, a big loss Dearbhla admits but one she feels that the club’s young emerging players can compensate for: “Losing a player of Alva's calibre is always going to be a loss to any team.

“But she's always going to be a part of our team in terms of what she brought to the team the last few years - the commitment, the motivation and just having her energy around the team has really stood to us and that's going to be with us in the next few years to come.

“Just playing alongside her has brought us on so much and for the young girls to look up and see what  can come out of our club is amazing. Because of that there's just a conveyor belt of young girls coming up every year and the bar's being raised.

“We're obviously very disappointed to see her going, we wish Ailbhe all the best, she's a lovely girl but our team is really competitive. They know that there's a space up for grabs and we've loads of young girls coming up and they want that jersey.”

Dearbhla is also confident that Glencar Manorhamilton are finding form at just the right time: “Our fitness has improved and we didn't even see a ball in that space of time so I think we've kind of set out really well. You can kind of see it in our last couple of league games. We've set out really well now for championships so we're just looking forward to getting going. “