All-Ireland final awaits reigning U16 champs Cavan

Ladies football

Aideen Coyle

All-Ireland finals don’t come around too often but for Cavan ladies underage, it has become the norm in recent seasons. The Breffni girls gear up for another All-Ireland final this Saturday after a commanding 1-10 to 1-2 victory over Dublin in the semi-final. Their opposition, Mayo, comprehensively defeated Kerry in their respective last-four clash on a scoreline of 2-13 to 0-8.

Cavan’s underage sides have been a force to be reckoned with in 2024, capturing all three underage Ulster platinum titles. The U14 side were narrowly beaten after extra time in the All-Ireland final, the U16 girls take on Mayo in the decider this Saturday while the county minors led by manager Gerry Charters hope to replicate the feat tomorrow (Thursday, July 11) as they take on Kildare in the All-Ireland semi-final (7.30pm in the Downs GAA).

The Ulster U16 champions find themselves back in familiar territory on Saturday (2pm Duggan Park, Ballinasloe) as they look to defend their national title. In 2023 Cavan defeated Cork in a thrilling All Ireland final replay to lift the county’s first U16 title since 1977. On their path to the final last year they defeated Saturday’s opposition, Mayo, in the semi-final after a 3-10 to 1-10 victory in St Faithleach’s GAA, Roscommon.

Despite coming into the season as the reigning Ulster and All-Ireland champions the team have focused solely on their performances and not the pressure of retaining their titles, according to manager Michael Lee.

“We haven’t really spoken about the holder’s tag since Ulster Round 1, as there was a lot of talk about defending both Ulster and the All-Ireland in the build up to Ulster. The focus has been on player improvements, creating an environment so the girls can take ownership of their performances and make better on field decisions with little tweaks as needed from the sideline.”

Thirteen girls remain from last year’s triumphant panel, three of whom were starters in the victory over the Rebels last season, Caitlin Crowe, Emilia Mussi and Fainche Higgins, who picked up Player of the Match in the final for an outstanding performance in goals.

Mullahoran clubwoman Mussi is the captain of the side this year and is ably assisted by the vice-captains Higgins and Niamh McCaffrey, who put in a stellar performance in the All-Ireland semi-final win over Dublin, scoring 0-6.

In all, 16 clubs are represented on the 30-player panel and they have enjoyed a six-game unbeaten run since losing the opening round of Ulster to finalists Down back in late February. Cavan repaid the favour later in the season defeating the Mourne county comfortably, 4-11 to 4-4, in the provincial decider.

Cavan, as a unit, have been in tremendous scoring form this season, registering a blistering 28-70 across their seven games. Up front, Knockbride’s Abby Reilly and Cornafean’s Niamh McCaffrey have been the taliswomen while players like Sarah McAvinney, Katie McGahern and Jane Hetherton have been regular scoring threats also.

At the opposite end of the field, Cavan have been defensively solid as highlighted in their outstanding semi-final victory where they kept the Leinster champions to just 1-2. Led by goalkeeper Higgins, Cavan have had many standout performers in the backline including Caitlin Crowe, Annie Crowe, Kate McSeain and Gia McCabe.

Speaking ahead of the final manager Michael Lee has reaped praise on his squad and how they have prepared for Saturday.

“There’s a good buzz amongst the players, they’re enjoying their football and enjoying the fun in the group. When you’ve a motivated football-loving group, preparations are a lot easier,” he said.

The Shannon Gaels man concluded: “You want your county competing at the highest level so being in the final of the top competition is great. This is just another game for us and our focus is getting the performance we know the players are capable of. If we get that, we’ll be a very difficult side to stop’.

• Cavan U16s v Mayo, Saturday July 13, Duggan Park, Ballinasloe, 2pm.

Cavan squad: Fainche Higgins, Kate McSeain, Annie Crowe, Holly Forde Peat, Kyra Comiskey, Caitlin Crowe, Gia McCabe, Emilia Mussi (C), Eimear Gannon, Sarah McAvinney, Abby Reilly, Briana Quaile, Niamh McCaffrey, Molly Smith, Katie McGahern, Cadhla Moffitt, Aine McDwyer, Ailis Conaty, Isabella Hall, Hannah Brady, Grace Conachy, Jane Hetherton, Ciara Brennan, Lola Matthews, Kayla O’Reilly, Katie Fitzsimons, Shauna Brady, Sorcha Farrelly, Emma Mulligan, Sarah Devine.