Boost For Offaly Footballers As Kate Kenny Commits To Panel

Tuesday, 8 February 2022 11:21

However Grainne Egan will be stepping away for the league at least.

Offaly's joint ladies football managers Brían O'Ruairc and Danny McGarvey have been boosted by the news Kate Kenny will join the panel.

The 19-year-old has been a key cog in St. Rynagh's recent All-Ireland success and will link up with the faithful as they open up their league campaign this weekend.

Kenny is no stranger to the football scene, having scored eight points for Naomh Ciarán as they beat Naomh Pól in the All-Ireland intermediate football final in 2019.

A dual star at club level since the age of 16, she'll add a different dimension to the faithful attack once embedded into the game-plan by management.

Earlier this month she spoke about the concept of the dual player:

“Once the management communicate with each other. It’s actually really nice to go week-in, week-out. Focus on camogie then turn around, kind of get a break… I actually really like it, it really works for me, the balance between both.”

Further good news comes in the form of Mairead Daly. The 26-year-old attacker is also stepping back into the fold for another season once St. Rynagh's extended season is at an end.

Tullamore's Becky Bryant is another who will compete in both codes in 2022. Fresh off a strong performance in the Leinster Junior final for her club, she's committed to throwing her hat in the ring going forward.

One player who is a notable absentee from the football panel for the league is Grainne Egan, the Shinrone native was a forced to be reckoned with in both spheres in recent seasons, picking up the PwC GPA Women's Player of the Month Award last May after she struck 4-13 in two games in less than 24 hours the month previously.

The news will come as a significant blow for O'Ruairc and McGarvey, but it isn't yet known if this is a permanent move away from football or whether it is just for the coming league campaign.

Clara is the venue as Offaly host Carlow in the Division 4B opener on Sunday.