Mayo’s Martha Carter has Farney army in her sights

Carter has Farney army in her sights


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Mike Finnerty

THE Mayo ladies will renew their long-standing and fierce rivalry with Monaghan again next Sunday when the counties meet in the National League Division 1 semi-final in Ballinamore at 2pm.
It will be the second time the counties have met since the Farney ladies turned Mayo over in last season’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final, with Monaghan also winning their recent league encounter.
However, Mayo stalwart Martha Carter is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with some old Monaghan friends and foes again next weekend as she goes in search of her third National League medal.
“Preparations are going well. The last two league games were vital, we had to win to stay up, and getting those results gave us great confidence. Getting into the semi-finals was a bonus really,” the Sligo-based Garda told The Mayo News.
“Peter [Clarke, Mayo manager] has come in from the outside so he didn’t know any of us, but he knows his football, and that’s probably a good thing in terms of a fresh start for everyone.
“Work-rate is a huge part of his plan, and he encourages us to be confident in our own ability and keep playing regardless of what happens.”
Mayo have been boosted by the return of the talented Noelle Tierney to the panel recently while Leona Ryder has also recovered from injury. However, teenager Niamh Kelly is doubtful for Sunday with an ankle injury while Carol Hegarty has been ruled out.
Carnacon veteran Carter, who is in her tenth season playing senior county football, is well aware of Monaghan’s capabilities.
“They’re defending league champions and unbeaten all year so, obviously, their confidence will be sky-high. They have the same management team in place for the last few years so they’ve got a set game-plan, they’re strong up the middle, and they’re going to be in the mix for the All-Ireland later in the year.
“But we’ll be up for it, everybody knows what they have to do, and we’ve been working really hard over the last three weeks.”
Mayo last won the National League title in 2007 and will take on Galway in the Connacht Final this summer.

Aisling McGing Cup
MEANWHILE, the annual Aisling McGing Memorial Tournament takes place on Monday, May 6 at Ray Prendergast Memorial Pitch in Clogher.
The teams competing are: Carnacon, Hollymount, Kilmoremoy, Moy Davitts, Corofin (Galway) and Annaghdown (Galway). The tournament starts at 12.30pm, with games ran hourly thereafter. The final is down for 6pm.