History on the line as Sarsfields and Timahoe prepare for inaugural Junior ‘B’ final

HISTORY will be created in Annanough on Sunday when Sarsfields and Timahoe face off in the first-ever Laois LGFA Junior B Championship final, with both clubs hoping to become the inaugural winners of a competition that has already proven a major success.

Introduced for the first time this season, the Junior B Championship has provided an additional competitive outlet for clubs, helping to keep more players involved in football while offering valuable game time to developing squads. Both finalists have embraced the new competition and now find themselves one step away from making history.

For Sarsfields, the championship has helped transform their season. Having struggled for numbers with their second team during the league campaign, the competition allowed the club to regroup and build momentum, culminating in a county final appearance.

Player Sinead Wall admits excitement is building ahead of Sunday's decider.

"A few nerves, but we're all ready for it," she said. "It's great. It's getting us all playing football and keeping us playing football. It's a real mix of teams in it as well and they're good challenges."

Manager Barry Holohan believes the competition has been a huge boost, both for his team and for the club as a whole.

"It's been a pleasure managing this group of girls. They're fantastic and they're a very united bunch," he said. "Having the Junior B has been brilliant for us because we were struggling with our second team throughout the league. We were able to regroup in the Junior B and now we have huge numbers. It's really benefited the club."

While eager to claim silverware, Holohan says the squad can already look back with pride on what they have achieved this year.

"Who doesn't love winning? We're showing up there on Sunday to do our best to win, but we're delighted to be there and it's been a brilliant year. If we don't win, we'll walk off the pitch with our heads held high."

Standing in their way is a Timahoe side equally excited by the prospect of competing in a county final.

Manager Tom McKittrick says there is a real buzz around the camp after an impressive run to the championship showpiece.

"The girls are very happy. They've been playing very well, so we're looking forward to getting out," he said. "You don't get to many county finals, so it's great to get to one."

While Timahoe's senior team suffered disappointment in their own championship campaign, McKittrick believes the Junior B side can provide a lift for the club by bringing home county silverware.

"The seniors were unlucky, but a lot of the girls train with the seniors, so they might try and bring a cup home for them at the weekend. That would be brilliant."

Both clubs point to the benefits the new championship has brought in increasing participation and providing meaningful football for players who may not always feature at senior level.

For Timahoe, that opportunity has been especially important. Rachel Kelly, standing in for captain Sinead Larkin at the Laois LGFA press launch, praised the competition for allowing more players to remain actively involved.

"For a small club to be able to field two senior teams is great," she said. "It gives girls who have been training all year with the seniors a chance to play football, and that's what we train for all year."

Kelly also believes that training regularly alongside Timahoe's established senior players has played a significant role in preparing the younger members of the panel for championship football.

"There are girls on the senior team that you're not going to meet harder than them. Marking them in training has really driven us on and I think it's stood to us."

Young player Holly McCarthy credits senior stars within the club for helping drive standards and inspire the next generation.

"They're all a great inspiration, like Mo Nerney, Orla Hennessy and Sarah Larkin. They drive you on at training and encourage you to do your best and go in for every ball," she said.

Sarsfields have also benefitted from a healthy mix of youth and experience throughout their campaign. According to Carol Hughes, the squad features players ranging in age from 15 to 25, with returning players, minors and experienced campaigners all contributing.

"It's really good because they all know each other," Hughes said. "There are sisters, cousins and friends involved. Everyone is helping everyone and there's fierce competition for places now."

That competition for places has strengthened the squad and created a positive environment ahead of Sunday's final.

Sarsfields are well aware of the challenge they face against a Timahoe team that topped their group and impressed throughout the championship.

"We know they've won a lot of their matches and won their group well," Hughes said. "We're under no illusions that they're a good team."

The sides have not crossed paths so far in the competition, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the occasion. However, despite enjoying the social side of the season, Hughes says her players will be fully focused when the action begins.

"They're really having the craic and enjoying it, but the minute the ball is thrown in, they're there to win a final and that's the plan."

There are similarities between both clubs' journeys. Each has embraced the new competition, used it to develop players and strengthen squad depth, and now has an opportunity to become the first champions in its history.

For Timahoe, merely reaching the final is viewed as a significant milestone. Coach Niall McCarthy believes the achievement reflects the hard work put in by the entire group throughout the year.

"It's just great to be there anyway. Even getting into the final is a win for us. We'll see on the day who's the better team."

By Sunday evening, either Sarsfields or Timahoe will earn a place in the Laois LGFA record books as the inaugural Junior B champions. With two enthusiastic squads, strong club backing and history at stake, all the signs point towards a memorable occasion in Annanough and a fitting finale to the competition's groundbreaking first season.