Eastern promise as Harkin returns

DERRY will again be able to call on Dubai-based schoolteacher Una Harkin for tomorrow’s TG4 All-Ireland Ladies JFC final against London.

Harkin was flown home by the Board for the semi-final against Antrim and chairperson John McEldowney revealed that they will repeat the exercise this weekend.

It is their first appearance in the decider, whereas London, captained by Australian native Bree White, were contestants last year when they lost narrowly to Kilkenny.

Captain Louise Glass, a journalist with the Coleraine Chronicle, stressed the importance of having Harkin in the team.

“Una is a fantastic player. Her strength and talent are second to none. If you needed someone to bail you out in the last minute of a game, she would be the one. We wanted her for the semi-final and she was outstanding.’’

Derry lost at the semi-final stage last season and Glass points to the appointments of managers Mary Joe Walls and Pearse McCallan as a significant reason for progress.

“Their experience is a big help. They attracted a lot of new girls to come into the squad, in addition to others who had played before, but had left. We have 26 players who are absolutely fabulous.”

The London captain this year is Meath girl Sinead Daly, from the Skyrne club, and they are again coached by Cork native Johnny Wison.

Daly is certain that bad memories from last year’s final will drive them on: “We were devastated by that defeat. That has inspired the girls all the more to come back and win.

“We are a bit more experienced and we know what to expect. And we know we can’t afford a slow start. Last year Kilkenny got 1-1 in the opening minutes and we were always chasing the game after that.’’