Last year’s finalists are drawn in same group as Tipperary and Monaghan
2019 All-Ireland finalists Galway have been pooled with Monaghan and last year’s intermediate champions Tipperary in Group 2 of the revised LGFA All-Ireland senior ladies football championship.
As one of last year’s semi-finalists, Galway – along with Cork, Mayo and champions Dublin – were seeded for Tuesday’s draw, which was conducted under the watchful eyes of LGFA President Marie Hickey. Also in attendance was TG4 Ard Stiúrthóir Alan Esslemont as the 2020 finals mark the 20th year of the long-standing partnership between the LGFA and TG4.
While most would see the fixtures in the Tribeswomen’s group as winnable games, Galway team manager Tim Rabbitt insisted that they will not be taking either of the opposition sides for granted.
“Tipperary are a Division 1 team and are obviously the intermediate champions from last year. We played them in the (National) League this year and we had a really good battle with them,” he noted.
“Tipperary also drew with Dublin in the League as well so they are a really good team, with some exceptional players like Aisling Moloney. So, that will be a really tough game for us.”
Noting the “brilliant tradition” that Monaghan ladies football boasted, he also believed the Ulster side will provide a stern test. “Although Monaghan are down in Division 2 now, we don’t know that much about them. So, we will have to do a bit of (background) work on them because it will be another tough game.
“I can’t remember the last time Galway played them in championship but we went up to Monaghan last year when they were in Division 1 of the National League and we only won it by a couple of points. It was a right battle.”
Indeed, where these games are played will be a factor, particularly given the time of year, and this was not lost on Rabbitt. “They haven’t the venues decided yet so we are not sure if they are going home or away – giving everyone one home game – or using neutral venues. So, that is another issue.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
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