TG4 Connacht IFC Final Player of the Match Leah Fox believes Leitrim can beat anyone if they perform to their potential
TG4 Connacht LGFA IFC Final reaction: Glencar Manorhamilton pinpoints team intensity as foundation for victory
Leitrim sent out a message that they are serious contenders for this year’s TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate title and Player of the Match Leah Fox agrees, suggesting that if the Green & Gold can perform on the day to the best of their ability, they can beat anyone!
Asked if Sunday’s impressive 4-18 to 0-8 victory over Roscommon in the TG4 Connacht IFC Final in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada was a reaction to Leitrim’s loss in the Division 4 Final, Leah wasn’t sure, pointing out that they had only lost by a point after extra-time without performing well.
“I don't know,” was Leah’s considered response, “I don't think we'd be happy with long parts of the league final, but we only lost by a point. I think we know if we perform on any day we can beat anyone and if we don't, anyone can beat us, it's fairly straightforward. We just need to focus on getting that performance from today and bringing it into the next day and hopefully getting a bit of momentum.”
The key to Leitrim’s stunning display was simple enough, just hard, hard work on and off the ball: “I suppose hard work is kind of the minimum and then after that everything else is a plus. So that's kind of what happened today. I think we worked hard and when you do that, you kind of open up spaces and you give yourself a chance.
“So I suppose that was probably an improvement from the league final and something Johnny's kind of been really strong on since the League Final. We targeted a fast start and we got that so I feel like after that first 10 minutes we kind of kept the pressure on and probably got the performance we've been looking for since the start of the year. It's great to be able to do it here in Pairc Sean on Connacht Final day.”
The Glencar Manorhamilton clubwoman was maybe slightly bewildered by her Player of the Match award, pointing out the incredible scoring contributions of both Muireann Devaney and Laura O’Dowd. When the Observer remarked on her role as the creative hub of Leitrim’s attack, Leah remarked “Oh, I don't know. 1-10 and 2-4, it has to be I'd say half if not more of our scoring. The two girls are amazing. Anytime the ball goes into Muireann, it goes over the bar and the same with Laura. She was just excellent.
“The two of them really helped us get that strong start and get us a foothold in the game along with many other girls. There were so many people that could have got it on our team, which I suppose is a great thing to have and it probably shows how much of a complete team performance it was.”
Asked about her spectacular crossfield passes and vision in setting up so many scorers, Leah suggested that some days it can go for you and other days, it doesn’t! “I suppose sometimes they work and then, other days, they don't and it's probably the wrong decision and you might get taken off. Things work some days and they don't the next, but I suppose it's trying to just get a bit of confidence and I think we have that since the league. Things haven't been clicking as well as we could and we want them to, but I think we kind of feel like they're coming at a good time.”
Hitting form at just the right moment is also crucial and Leah was cognisant of the importance of the draw for the All-Ireland series: “Obviously it's massive to win a Connacht title, but it's also equally so important for how it seeds you in the All-Ireland. Getting first seed in the group is massive. I think if we came second today, we would have had the Ulster champions but you want to go into the All-Ireland in good form and then obviously want to be seeded. I suppose two years ago if anyone told you you were going to win the All-Ireland, you would have laughed at them, but we know it's just about getting momentum and seeing where it takes us.”