*Barry Donnelly. Photograph: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
CHARACTER of Clare’s All-Ireland winning minor ladies football side has been hailed as a key reason for their success.
By Ivan Smyth
Clare kicked the final four points of Saturday’s All-Ireland Minor B decider with Sligo to claim the spoils on a score of 1-8 0-7.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, victorious manager Barry Donnelly credited the character of his side. “We have never been beaten mentality. They don’t give up. They (Sligo) go level but we go four in front by the end. It is character.
“They are a joy to be with. They were hungry all year. They knew we didn’t perform last year as well as we could. We got a sprinkling of the best 16s coming in and they energised the older girls and drove them on. You can see for yourself at the presentation. They are all friends and all buddies. They play against each other at schools but after that they are friends again. It is brilliant,” he added.
Success was led by the players, he admitted. “In all grades of football, it has to be player led. If you train an U12 team or a senior team it is the players. The players drive the bus. They want it, they deliver it, they show up and they do the work and then you have days like this. It is brilliant”.
Throw-in was delayed at the Connacht GAA Centre in Bekan due to the volume of supporters attempting to enter the grounds, a huge cohort of which were from Co Clare. “At the presentation it was amazing to see the colour. I knew there was a few buses coming but I didn’t think there would be this many. This is for the team. That is what the clubs think of each player. That is how much they are thought of”.
Continued work has led to All-Ireland glory, Donnelly said. “You get what you put in. You put in the work and nine times out of 10 you win something. They just didn’t stop, and they worked and worked. Today is the result and we are All Ireland champions”.
“I haven’t much hair now,” he quipped when talk turned to celebrations and letting the hair down.
