Mayo LGFA club manager: 'We're lucky they're back from Australia'

The Mayo LGFA county championship will kick off this Sunday. Last year, Westport won their historic first senior title.

This time around, Knockmore will be out for revenge. And indeed, all championships, especially intermediate, promise to be more exciting than ever.

The Mayo News talked to Westport manager Pop Geraghty ahead of the first group match against Castlebar Mitchels, throw-in 11am, this Sunday, August 31:

David Rischke: "How do you feel now, that the Championship is ahead, the highlight of the year?"

Pop Geraghty: "I'm just really excited, David. Championship is what you're building for all year. We have a really competitive really competitive senior championship this year. We're just really looking forward to getting out on the pitch and hopefully doing the best that we can do."

DR: "Everyone's tipping you hot favourites, how does it feel being the hunter?"

PG: "It's a turn up for the books for us. A lot of the times we've been there, thereabouts and obviously we got over the line last year so that naturally sets a target on the back from straight away. But we've been in the situations where we've lost finals and lost semi-finals so we know how much motivation that gives other teams. We'll very much have to up our game again this year to have any chance of winning any Championship.

DR: Some might say it's easy winning once but proving yourself to do it again, that's sweeter than the first one: 

PG: "You can see how competitive the Mayo ladies' Championship has been, there's been three different winners in the past three years. I think it's no secret our goal is to win it again, that's what we're out to do and we'll do everything in our power to do it."

DR: "Squad wise, Nicola O'Malley is injured, is that correct?"

PG: "Yes, Nicola picked up an injury against Knockmore (in the league final), so we're waiting to see what that's like, but we've another O'Malley back, so Rebecca got her return to play. She injured her cruciate in the first round against Carnacon last year so she's had a long year, surgery, rehab and she's got her return to play just now. So we're really excited about getting her back involved and giving us a selection headache. She's worked really hard, she's great, had to do a lot of work on her own has a great support from our physio and she's absolutely flying it so we're delighted to have her back involved and available for selection."

DR: " From what I've been seeing this year, Laura Moran and Aoife Staunton stand out for me."

PG: "It's a bit of X Factor that they're bringing in. They work hard for them to create the scoring opportunities. They're two superstars. They love football, they live and breathe it. They train as they play, they're just excellent trainers. They love the balls they get in to score. But they're great teammates as well, they're not in it for themselves. They give the right option, they support their teammates. And we're lucky we have hard workers around them. Even in the league final last day, our half forward line, Aoife Kennedy and Fionnuala McLaughlin do hard work. Saoirse Ludden and Katie Chambers inside did a lot of the ball winning. Ludden was out in front winning dirty ball. So it is a real team effort.

DR: "Did you change anything in your routine this year, in how you approach the championship training wise? 

PG: "A big goal for us was to make the squad more competitive this year. To really ramp it up and increase numbers. We're very lucky, Saoirse Ludden and Lisa Scahill came back from Australia. And in the likes of Ellie Hyland and Rachel Browne have really pushed on and stepped up from the junior team. And in the likes of Lauren Cusack has come in on the goalkeeping side alongside Roisín Scott. We're just really happy with the progression that a lot of players have made. And it's making our job a lot more difficult on the sideline. Another mention for Noirín Moran, she's come back and I haven't seen her play as well in a long, long time. It's great to see her enjoying her football and playing well."

NEXT: Mayo LGFA chairperson: 'Fight for your parish, that's what we get up for'