By Ciaran Woods

c.woods@gaeliclife.com

THE ADVERSE weather conditions put paid to last weekend's Dowd Cup plans so, with a fixtures headache looming on the horizon, some drastic action was required to be taken. The result is that a double-header at Casement Park under floodlights will showcase the very best of Ulster's college ladies football.

Almost every weekend from now until the summer will be taken up by National League fixtures and with the O'Connor Cup getting underway in the coming weeks with mid-week fixtures, it was virtually impossible to rearrange the competition in a tournament format. The compromise will see a mid-week preliminary round and semi-final fixtures in the McNally Plate competition, before the McNally Plate and Dowd Cup finals take place as a Casement Park double header on Thursday February 26.

Coleraine and St Marys have opted to play in the McNally Plate only which means that QUB I and UUJ I will play in the O'Neills Dowd Cup in a straight final.

In the McNally Plate a preliminary round and semi-finals have been arranged to qualify for the final. The draw has been finalised and the following dates have been agreed:

Preliminary round - QUB II v Magee at a neutral venue to be played on or before Friday February 20.

Semi-finals - Monday February 23 - St Mary's v Coleraine and UUJ II v QUB II/Magee. First named team have home advantage.

Final - Thursday February 26 at 6.30pm in Casement Park, Belfast.

The third trophy to be contested is the Oliver Gavan Cup. As this competition is between SWC Fermanagh and Cavan Institute, both colleges can decide on a time and date to suit. The likelihood is that this match will take place in the Lisnaskea area. Details will be posted on www.ulsterladiesgaelic.com in due course

To get the finals as a double-header under floodlights in Casement Park is a great attraction for players and supporters alike, and with so many past players still strong supporters of their respective colleges it is hoped that many will turn out for the finals. The McNally Plate decider will get underway at 6.30pm, followed by the clash of Belfast's 'Big Two' in the Dowd Cup final at 8pm.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

It was a quiet weekend on the intercounty front with a gap in fixtures to allow for the Dowd Cup, but the National League swings back into action this Sunday afternoon with crunch games for a number of Ulster sides.

In division one, Donegal play host to Armagh at Castlefin, with both sides requiring a win. Armagh were on the end of a three-point defeat at the hands of Kerry last day out, and the Orchard girls know that they cannot afford to slip up again. Donegal also suffered defeat, a thumping 7-12 to 1-7 loss to Laois. Whoever loses this game could find themselves deep in relegation trouble, and getting points on the board is essential if they are to keep up with the pack. Donegal turned over Armagh in the first round of the championship last year, but they are unlikely to repeat that feat this time out and Armagh should prove to be too strong for their Ulster rivals and take the spoils.

Also in division 1A, Tyrone will be hoping to build on their great opening-round win over Mayo as they play host to Laois this Sunday afternoon. The Red Hands had two points to spare over a formidable Mayo two weeks ago, but one look at the impressive tally Laois ran up against Donegal will tell them that they cannot afford to be complacent. Even so, Tyrone should have enough quality at the back to put the shackles on Laois and gain another win.

In division 1B, Monaghan are hoping to get their campaign on track when they play host to Clare at Emyvale. The Farney girls lost out to a young Dublin outfit by 4-7 to 1-7 last day out, and would be expecting an easier run at things against Clare. However, the Banner girls got off to a flying start when they beat Galway in round one, and Monaghan will have their hands full to see off their plucky challenge.

There's an Ulster derby in division 2B as Down host Cavan at Downpatrick. It's a unique tie as the sides have not met in recent years as Cavan have been playing intermediate championship football and were operating in division three last year. The Breffni girls were victors over Fermanagh in the opening round, a result which will have given them great hope that they can succeed at this level. Down's game against Longford fell victim to the weather, and although the Mourne girls may take a little time to get up to speed in their first competitive outing, they should have too much firepower for Cavan to handle.

This weekend's Bord Gais Energy Ladies National Football League fixtures

Division 1A

Mayo v Kerry at Ballinrobe (3pm)

Donegal v Armagh at Castlefin (2pm)

Tyrone v Laois at TBC (2pm)

Division 1B

Monaghan v Clare at Emyvale (2.30pm)

Galway v Cork at Cregg Corrandulla (1.30pm)

Dublin v Kildare at Naomh Mearnog (2pm)

Division 2A

Leitrim v Waterford at Leitrim Gaels (2pm)

Westmeath v Wexford at Mullingar Shamrocks (2pm)

Tipperary v Sligo at TBC (2pm)

Division 2B

Meath v Longford at Trim (1pm)

Down v Cavan at Downpatrick (2pm)

Division 3A

Limerick v Roscommon at Martinstown, Limerick (12.30pm)

Carlow v Offaly at Tinryland (2pm)

DIARIES

The Ladies Gaelic Football Association have joined forces with Sport Tracker to introduce the new ladies player's diary, which is set to become a key companion to ladies gaelic footballers across the country.

These books have been designed for ladies players, and the content has been compiled from feedback from footballers throughout the country. The diary will assist players in their improvement by providing a variety of information and an avenue for them to track the various aspects of their performance.

The diary layout is designed using a day-by-day format followed by a weekly summary. Players can track their daily diets, their fluid intake, energy levels, mood levels, performance ratings and general feelings after a session or match. Players can then assess how their week went and set new goals for the coming week. The diary can serve as a very useful tool not only for players but managers also, as it allows them to gain a greater insight into player preparation and motivation prior to big games.

These diaries are aimed at all ladies gaelic footballers involved on club or county panels from 16-years-of-age upwards.

Over the coming months, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and Sport Tracker will deliver a series of roadshows, featuring various special guests, to provide information and guidance to coaches for the coming season.

Diaries are available from the office at Croke Park and cost ¤10 each. A special offer allows teams to buy 30 diaries for ¤250.

Order forms are available to download at www.ladiesgaelic.ie