Sixth straight final sets pulses racing for Sweeney and Co
Caitlin Burke and Lara Sweeney looking forward to a sixth final in-a-row for Knockmore.
It is an occasion both teams are familiar with, with Knockmore appearing in the last five finals and emerging as winners in 2021 and 2023, either side of Burrishoole sneaking their first and only win. But that's not to say there won't be plenty of nerves when the teams face off in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park next Sunday.
Knockmore captain and forward Lara Sweeney has been part of some unforgettable days for the club, and also some heartbreaking defeats.
In what will be Knockmore’s sixth final in-a-row, Lara is under no illusions about how difficult a task they face.
“We know how to see how out games, and we also know how to lose games,” Lara told the .
“We have been on the end of both sides of it, so we know how tough it is to win one. We have won two out of the last five, so they are hard to come by.”
This current Knockmore side has shown consistency and determination in the last six years to be contenders for the championship title year in, year out.
An era that will not last forever, Lara praises the impact of younger players who have played under different managements.
“We have lost very few girls, and a lot of minors came up together. We stuck together, we worked hard, we have big standards for ourselves.
“Some coaches have come and gone and left a lot of knowledge with us.
“We are sick telling them (young players) that this doesn’t always happen. We have been on the other end of relegation battles. The younger girls probably don’t know any different.
“They know how hard it is after a loss, and how good it is after a win. They do know the downfall of it as well. They haven’t always been on the winning end of it.
“There is a fine line between winning and losing,” admitted Lara.
Back-to-back winners Westport began the season as favourites for a third straight title, with Burrishoole causing a massive upset in the semi-final, while Knockmore battled their way past Kilmovee Shamrocks.
Knockmore are hoping to win their first title since 2023, while it has been a four-year wait for Burrishoole.
This will be the second meeting of Knockmore and Burrishoole in a county senior final and the second meeting between them in this season’s championship. Knockmore won that game 1-09 to 1-06, but were far more convincing winners in their other two group games against Claremorris and Hollymount, scoring 65 points and conceding only 29 across the three rounds. What followed was a 2-14 to 2-06 semi-final victory for Knockmoere over Kilmovee Shamrocks.
Burrishoole, slightly surprisingly, were held to a draw by Claremorris in Group B, however, they do have the experience of beating Knockmore in the only previous county final between the two, 0-06 to 0-04, in a downpour back in 2022, and they arrive here having beaten Westport 1-12 to 2-08 in the semi-final, a team who had won all three of their group games – and the last two county senior championships.
In a season full of drama in an unforgettable year for Mayo GAA, Lara Sweeney says the mentality of teams plays a big part.
“It is a lot in the head. Mentally, if you have a good head and you go after it, it is there for anyone.
“Nothing is set in stone that X, Y, and Z is going to win it this year. If you say to yourself, why can’t it be us? You work hard and put the work in, you are capable of anything really.”
