Wicklow the first step in Leitrim's TG4 LGFA All-Ireland IFC glory quest
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Ladies start campaign to regain Mary Quinn Cup by hosting Wicklow on Sunday May 31, in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada
It is not quite back to the future but Leitrim start their quest to lift the Mary Quinn Cup for a third time next Sunday in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada when they take on Wicklow, just like they did back in 2024!
Of course, it is not quite the same – two years ago, Leitrim faced Wicklow in the third round of the TG4 LGFA All-Ireland Intermediate Championship and this time they go into the group stage as top seeds in group four. And unlike two years ago when Leitrim were very much the underdogs, Jonny Garrity’s troops will be considered among the favourites to lift the title in a wide open race.
Down to a squad of 22 players, Leitrim are a different beast this year with a strong panel of players vying for starting spots and despite disappointment in the Division 4 Final against Carlow, Garrity and his troops will feel they have every bit as much of a chance as the likes of Clare, Cavan, Wexford, Monaghan and Westmeath of winning the title.
Back in 2024, Leitrim mounted a resilient campaign as they overcame the disappointment of failing to escape Division 4 of the League. They finally achieved that goal this year before going on to trounce Roscommon in a one-sided Connacht Final in Pairc Sean, setting out an early statement of their intent.
Next Sunday’s game is the start of a journey that Leitrim hope ends with Michelle Guckian walking up the steps in the Hogan Stand to collect the Cup once more. Opponents Wicklow have proven tricky opposition in the past but seem to be going through something of a rough patch at the moment.
Wicklow’s interesting in the Leinster IFC ended in the first round when a powerful Wexford cruised to a 6-15 to 0-6 victory in Aughrim while Leitrim surged to an even more decisive 7-16 to 2-0 victory over the Garden County when the teams met in the Lidl NFL in Ballinamore last February.
On the face of it, with home advantage and momentum firmly behind them, this should be a comfortable victory for the Green & Gold but knowing Jonny Garrity, no challenge is taken lightly and Leitrim won’t let their foot off the pedal until the final whistle is sounded.