Claremorris stalwarts hoping for the dream come true in All-Ireland

Much of this youthful Claremorris team are at the beginning of their senior careers and have come into the ranks following success after success at various underage level. But for the likes of captain Laura Kelly and Marina Cawley, it is a new lease of life in many ways.

Along with Rebecca Kean, Trina Morley and Síle Hughes, they were part of the club’s 2016 junior triumph. However, a disappointing 2022 saw them relegated from intermediate and facing an uncertain future.

But Kelly has been watching was what unfolding with a special group of players winning titles at every underage level. When they came up, there was a chance for Claremorris not just win another county title but Connacht also.

“It was a little bit low at the start but I always felt even from the end of last season, I definitely knew that we were well able to get back up to intermediate,” Laura told the Western People. “Our aim, probably some of the older girls felt, was that we could do Connacht. We definitely felt we were strong enough to get there. But obviously to get to an All-Ireland final is amazing. But we definitely felt that the team was there.” Not that that merging of youth and the current crop was a simple one.

“I don't really know what happened last year. I suppose we weren't used to playing with the younger girls. Last year was the start of it and then this year, we've just started to gel nicely. I suppose they're getting used to us and we're getting used to them, how we play and stuff like that. I felt that there was a strong enough team there to get in as far as Connacht at least and then whatever happens after that is obviously great.

“It takes time for a team to fit together and start playing together and obviously last year wasn't that year. Obviously, earlier on in the year, they were all playing their minor football and stuff. We were waiting for them to finish up with that and once they did, once we got going it just really started to fit into place. I feel like they're getting more comfortable with us and we're getting more comfortable with them, which is great.” Marina Cawley felt the same.

“They know how to win. They’re used to winning. I think they gave us a new lease of life in our football after a bit of a lull,” said the 30-year-old. “A lot of people are saying we’re playing our best football in years and I think it’s thanks to them. They’ve really pushed us on as senior players and asked questions of us. There’s a great bond between us.

“At the start it took a while because they had a different style to us. Fair play to the managers, it took a few sessions. We’re all one now and it’s really clicking. Their will to win and workrate is phenomenal.” As well as the talent, Claremorris showed they had the strength of character in the face of adversity after their extra-time win over Aghamore in the semi-final.

“Aghamore, that was some game,” said Laura. “For these younger players, there's a lot of talent, but the senior players probably need to step up in those games as well. That game was vital for us, really.

The senior players really pushed on. The younger girls, they’re so used to winning but they could see then what it really meant to us older girls that wouldn't be used to getting these wins, like winning county titles and winning different things and they fed off that.

“That game was probably one of our most important all season. Everyone wanted it and you could see it throughout the whole panel, not even just the 15 on the pitch the whole panel.” Marina, normally a composed and assured operator, attacked and surged against the Aghamore defence like a woman possessed.

“I don’t know what came over me, to be honest. In that game, I felt like we were the better team. We did leave chances behind us and in that game, a lot of people felt our championship started then and I believe it did. The senior players, we upped it a gear that day. When we got to extra-time, I was like ‘No way we’re losing this.’ I knew there was more in us than losing a county semi-final. I knew there was more to the team. Thankfully we came out on top that day.” After the defining win over the east Mayo ladies, the final a week later saw Claremorris pull off, in the captain’s view, their best performance to date in the championship. She hopes another performance like the one in Bekan back in October is inside them.

“I think our best game we played was probably our county final. I think that day we really seemed like that it went well. Since then, we've done well. I still feel we haven't clicked quite as well as the county final and I feel like it's still in us, and the hope is that this happens for us on Sunday, we click again, just like that.

“We've had patches in games that we've been great, at the start of games where we just seem to get that lead and that's held us through for the last couple of games. We just need it for the whole game. Naturally enough there'll be patches that kind of slip in and out, but we can't let it. We have it in us to have that big game again.

The transformation of this team under manager Aidan Brennan and coached Mark Morley and Brendan French is something Marina has lauded.

“Mark has been with the underage and he’s been a great servant. The positivity he brings, one percent more, one percent more. They all add up. If everyone gives it, it’s huge.

“Brendan has been involved with the lads for a long time. He brought that extra gear in training. What I love is that everything is with a ball. We’ve done the dog work but everything has been with the ball. Now to refine things up, kickouts, tactically.

“One of the reasons we got relegated is that while we scored a lot, we also conceded a lot. Brendan has worked with the backs a lot to try and get them tighter. We’re not conceding as many goals as we were last year.” The Cork and Munster champions O’Donovan Rossa now await. Both Laura and Marina feel Claremorris may be the underdogs given how they dismantled Gusserane in the other semi-final while Claremorris had to hold off a late rally from Lavey.

“My heart honestly was in my mouth towards the end. The Lavey girls never gave up. They were brilliant in all fairness to them but thankfully our girls just kind of kept them at bay until the last minute and we got over the line.

“I know the second half was totally different to our first half. We're still delighted to get over the line, but you know, we were a little bit disappointed the way it went. I think we only got two scorers in the second half. We kind of let ourselves down a little bit but again, they were so defensive as well. So we were just happy to get the win at the end of the day.

“(O’Donovan Rossa) is going to be a massive challenge,” added Laura. “Cork football, they're strong across the board. I feel like we're going to be up for the challenge. Anything can happen on the day. We could possibly be the underdogs going into this game but sometimes that suits us and that pushes us on.

“For me personally, I'll have the nerves and stuff. But we keep going back to the younger girls. I'm not saying that it's all about them, but they are a massive part of our team and they're the majority of the team. They thrive off this sort of thing. This is what they want. The bigger the challenge, the better and we all want that."

“We know that they're going to be tough but we're willing to give it a go. We're there for a reason, just like them. So why not give it our best shot?” “They’re going to be a good side,” added Marina. “We’d like to think we’re underdogs going in. They had a comprehensive win in their semi-final over the Wexford champions. Any team at this stage is a good team. We know we have it all to and we’re going to have to put our bodies on the line. We’ll back our chances as much as they will.”