Doireann Murphy eager to end Clare's wait for silverware in league final

Michael Bolton

Clare goalkeeper Doireann Murphy is determined to end Clare's wait for silverware when they face Dublin in the 1B National Camogie league final.

Clare are unbeaten so far this season, finishing top of the table ahead of Dublin, with goalkeeper Murphy a key reason for a strong defence.

An experienced member of the squad, Murphy has been on the wrong side of league and Munster finals, and is hopeful that streak will end when they face Dublin in Nowlan Park on April 12th.

"I don't know the last time I won silverware with Clare; it was definitely a long time ago. I don't think there are many on the panel who have experience.

"For confidence alone, if you did win a final, a championship is not far away; it is only around the corner. It would bring a sense of excitement, and you would be looking forward to going into the championship straight away.

"We know if we don't turn up on the day, it won't be good enough for us to win. We have to bring our own intensity and work rate from the first whistle until the last."

The two teams played out an entertaining draw at the beginning of the season, with a return to Division 1A key for both sides.

A county that has had success in hurling over the years, Murphy hopes a win in the final would bring more eyes to the camogie side.

"Every girl growing up, they might have seen the hurlers winning the All-Ireland and doing well in Munster.

"Clare camogie needs to get back up on the map. If we could win, it would be absolutely massive. Not just for the team, but for younger girls coming up on the team."

In one of the talking points of the league, Clare's win over Wexford got the attention for all the wrong reasons.

Just before the throw-in, the venue for the game was changed, with photos showing the poor state of the pitch.

The start of the season showed a step forward, as Pat O'Donnell was announced as a sponsor for the camogie team, with the sponsor having a long-term connection to the hurlers and football side.

However, the last-minute move to Meelick shows the work that still needs to be done, as Murphy said the squad just had to get on with the situation.

"I think it was nearly 12 o'clock when the text came in. The match was supposed to start at two, and we were meant to meet at one.

"At the time, it was a big deal. We just had to try and get on with it. The match was over and we got the win."