*Eugene Foudy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
INAGH/KILNAMONA are bidding to bridge a five year gap since last winning the Clare senior camogie championship.
Reflecting on his side’s semi-final win over Scariff/Ogonnelloe, Eugene Foudy the Inagh/Killnamona manager said “there was a lot of shadow boxing in the first 20 minutes. We were quite happy with the first half display, it was our first serious test this year. We made a small mistake before half time but we parked that and came out in the second half and pushed on”.
Continuing he said “Aoibhin Ryan was a big loss but Teresa and Andrea O’Keeffe, Aoife Keane stepped up while Clare Hehir, taking over the free taking duties after Aoibhin’s injury, showed nerves of steel. That’s why she is nominated for an All Star, she is a quality player”.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s final he noted “there has been so little between the teams in the last couple of years. We won four in a row, then Scariff/Ogonnelloe came along and then Truagh/Clonlara. We train hard every year and there has only been a puck of the ball in it on a number of occasions. We have a lot of work done this year, the players are determined”.
Foudy who has recently been confirmed as the new Clare senior camogie manager said, “the final takes on a life of its own. They are a quality side. It’s a new championship, the final is in Cusack Park which is in perfect condition, hopefully we can come out on the right side”.
Events and missed opportunities of the past have not been referenced in the lead up to Saturday’s final, he said. “There has been no mention of last year’s final or the fact that Inagh/Kilnamona haven’t won a Munster title. We have been totally focused on our next game at all times. It’s been all about our performance, all about knuckling down when the challenges are put to us”.
Eugene went on to point out “we didn’t have Fiona Laffery on Saturday but others stepped up, Laura Rynne had a massive second half as did Aoife Keane and Andrea O’Keeffe. Danielle Griffin has been a revelation this year since she burst onto the county team and she has continued that form with us. We took the game by the scruff of the neck and got the two goals. Clare Hehir showed great confidence when taking over the frees, she showed character. The belief and desire was evident”.
The shoulder injury suffered by Aoibhin Ryan in the semi-final makes her a very doubtful starter for the final. “We will give her every chance and we will also be keeping our fingers crossed that Fiona Lafferty will be available”, he said.
Clare’s new manager is pleased “with the level of talent available in Clare. I was at the intermediate final on Saturday. That was a cracking game as were he minor finals of the last few years. We have another nomination for an All Star this year, Clare getting to the All-Ireland quarter final was a great boost. Getting to play in Caherlohan and Cusack Park is a great boost for the girls. There is quality work going on all around the county”.
Concluding he said “sport is huge in every community in the county, everything revolves around the sporting teams in the parishes. This week our focus is on Saturday’s camogie final and hopefully we can bridge that five year gap to our last title win”
