SEPTEMBER 2007

Donegal Girls travel to Tuam for All Ireland

Donegal travel to Tuam On Saturday to meet reigning under 16 champions Cork, and manager Kenny Griffin is highly optimistic about the team's chances. "The team have played exceptionally well this season" he said. "There's a great bond between the girls. I've said it before, but there's definitely something special about this team. If we're going to win, its going to be this year. Cork, as always, are a very strong team and It'll be a tough match. Cork are a very professional outfit, but if we play the way we've been playing we'll win."

The team are certainly committed. Almost all of this year's team were part of the U14 team who lost in the All Ireland final two yeas ago, and this is helping to fuel their determination. "All the players have been with me now for two years They know what it takes to win an All Ireland; they've been there and lost. This year they're determined to make up for it, says Kenny, whose father, managed the Donegal senior team in the 50s, died just over one year ago. Together they are solely responsible for the success of ladies football in Donegal.

I've been doing this for 17 years and it's very personal to me. My father and I started ladies football in Donegal in 1992, we organized the very first meeting. If we do win, I'll be dedicating it to him." Kenny says that he can't single out any particular girl as all are playing so well as a unit, though he does point out that all the Inishowen girls are having a good season.

There will be a big Inishowen contingent in Tuam this weekend, with half of Carndonagh and Moville making the trip to support their girls. For now Kenny and the girls are waiting with great anticipation for the big match day. "It's been four weeks since the semis. We've been training away quietly and I'm very happy. I can't wait for the game. A win for the girls would be tremendous. To see Roisin Friel lift the cup would be a dream, the fulfillment of a life's ambition.

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