By Shaun Casey

FOR the first time ever, Warrenpoint Ladies will compete in an Ulster final as they take on Downings of Donegal in Saturday’s Junior decider, and manager Brian Murphy says his side can’t wait to take to the field.

The ladies team hasn’t been in existence that long but has gone from strength to strength this season and capturing the Down title was a huge moment. They carried that momentum into the provincial campaign and now they’re one step away from more silverware.

They came through a tough test against Antrim champions Lamh Dhearg in the opening round and survived by the minimum of margins. Warrenpoint had a little more breathing space in the semi-final, seeing off Monaghan’s Aughnamullen by four.

“The Ladies team is only really five or six years old, so this is all new to us,” said Murphy.

“The whole club, the community and the parish, everyone has really got behind us.

“They can’t play football for us but they’re supporting us in every single avenue that they can.

“They’re all helping out with our preparations and around the training grounds and lights and looking after the grass. All that sort of stuff really helps. If you’re training in muck and gutters, it doesn’t help anybody so we’re really grateful for everyone getting behind us.”

Downings pose a completely different challenge than what Warrenpoint have faced all season and outside of picking up some information here and there, Murphy admits his side are facing into the unknown.

The Donegal champions hit five goals in their county final triumph and again raised five green flags against Cavan’s Butlersbridge before earning a one-point win over Eoghan Rua of Derry in the semis.

“It’s like any team that’s going into Ulster, you’re going into the unknown really. All you’re doing is hearing bits and pieces about the opposition and then whatever you can read yourself elsewhere as well.

“I do know that Downings played against Eoghan Rua in the semi-final and Eoghan Rua are a pretty good outfit, they’re no slouches, so for Downings to come away with a one-point win there, they must be pretty sharp.”

On a positive note, the Down champions head into the contest with a clean bill of health, which should help them in giving the best performance that they can on the day.

“We have no injuries to report at the minute,” added Murphy. “Our squad is very young but they’re all biting at the bit and looking forward to the game and to the challenge that Downings will present on Saturday.

“And whatever happens on Saturday, it happens. We have said this to the girls on a number of occasions – they have done their bit, they have worked their absolute socks off to get us to this stage.

“Where they have got to this year is beyond anywhere else that the club has got to before, from the ladies section.

“Nobody can turn around and say that the girls haven’t gone out and tried their very, very best.”