Meath players a key cog in Maynooth ladies squad

Ladies football

Maynooth University ladies senior football team manager Louise Keane has praised the impact of the Royals' contingent as her side prepares for tomorrow’s (Thursday) Curran Cup final against ATU Donegal.

Maynooth have been in fine form of late, with four Meath players all key members of their squad.

“We have four girls from Meath, Ciara Doherty, Clodagh Millington, Kerry Cole and Orla Reilly. All four of them have been brilliant,” Kilcock native Keane said.

“Kerry's been injured up until this point but has still been around the group and been excellent to have around. Ciara Doherty has been super, she played a bit for us last year but has played a lot more for us so far this year. Really skillful footballer, she's a joy to watch on the pitch to be honest. She's a really lovely footballer.

“Clodagh Millington has been excellent as well. Lots of energy from her, she’s a really good, hard worker. She has been really good, both corner-back and wing-back. And then Orla Reilly as well. A huge amount of energy. A very, very fast player, which is really good to have as well.”

Maynooth have enjoyed a fine run to date.

“So far we’ve started pretty well,” Keane said.

“We’ve had three round games. Our first was away to DCU, who we played in the first round of the championship last year and lost in extra time. To go there and get a win was really positive. It’s a tough place to go for your first round.”

The strong start continued on the road.

“Our second round then we travelled down to UCC and again got a win, which was brilliant. Going down to UCC, the travel was difficult and it was an absolutely miserable night as well, so all those things make it a tough ask, but to come out of there with a win was really positive.”

They followed up by beating UL at home.

“We would have played UL a lot over the last number of years, so it was great to get three wins in the league. And then we had our semi-final last Thursday against TUD. Obviously playing an O’Connor Cup team would have been a big step up for us and a big test, so to beat them was brilliant. That one went to extra time as well.”

Keane said the character of the group stands out.

“In terms of how happy we are with the girls’ application and effort, we really can’t fault them. They’ve been excellent. I think that TUD game really showed us that the girls just never stopped, never gave up. Honestly, I just couldn’t fault their efforts.”