LADIES GAA | McArdle: Disappointment of last year drove Stabannon on

Mid-Louth side win their seventh league title in eight years

Stabannon Ladies celebrate after winning the Louth Ladies Division One League title. PICTURE: WARREN MATTHEWS

Sunday’s Louth Ladies Division One League final victory over the Geraldines was Stabannon’s seventh in the past eight years.

The mid-Louth side were beaten in last year’s decider against the Newtown Blues, denying them what would have been a quite incredible seven-in-a-row.

Full-back Michelle McArdle collected the trophy along with co-captain Orlagh Byrne following Sunday’s win over the Gers and speaking to Dundalk Sport afterwards, she said that every player in the Stabannon camp was determined to make up for the disappointment of missing out in 2016.

The Stabannon celebrations in full swing. PICTURES: WARREN MATTHEWS

“It was a big disappointment losing to the Blues last year,” she said. “We shouldn’t have let it go but we bounced back by winning last year’s senior championship and we dug deep to win today.

“This is the second cup we’ve won this year,” she continued. “A group of the girls won the Nicola Barry Tournament last month.

“That was a big competition for us to win and now we’ve added another trophy so we’re delighted.”

Stabannon will now turn their attention to the Louth Ladies Senior Football Championship which begins in early August.

McArdle and co are aiming to win their sixth title in eight years and are placed in Group B alongside Cooley Kickhams, Newtown Blues and Roche/Na Piarsaigh.

“We’ll celebrate tonight but we’ll be back to prepare for the Louth Championship next week,” said Michelle.

“We’ve got a tough group but if we all work hard we know we can get fitter and better. We made mistakes today, it wasn’t a perfect display, but we will work on that.”

Despite conceding an early goal against the Gers, Stabannon took firm control of Sunday’s final and ran out comfortable 13-point winners.

“The Geraldines goal came so early in the game that we didn’t need to worry,’ said McArdle. “That’s one thing about the girls, they never panic and we’re always there to help each other.

“It was a real team performance,” she added, “and you couldn’t pick a player of the match.

“That’s what’s great about Stabannon. Everybody works hard for each other and nobody is greedy. Nobody will shoot for the sake of shooting, they’ll always look for the better option.”