*Ciara McCarthy of Kilmurry Ibrickane. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
REACHING the Clare senior ladies final is “a big jump but a great achievement for Kilmurry Ibrickane”.
That’s according to midfielder Ciara McCarthy, a pharmacy technician working in nearby Kilrush. “This was our goal at the start of the year and it’s a privilege to get there with such a small group. We have all played together since a young age and we are delighted to be there”, she told The Clare Echo ahead of Sunday’s final.
Noting that “this is a repeat of the league final”, she quickly added “this is the main one, the league was a great battle, there was nothing between us, no doubt this will be another cracker of a game”.
Like all of those involved with the team she agrees “this is a great day for the parish and there will be massive support. We have to concentrate on our own game, there will be nerves on both sides, it’s such a big day. We are delighted to have the two teams involved”.
Ciara has been playing football from a very young age. “It’s been football since the day I was born and I am delighted to be in a first county final with my own club. There are no guarantees and it will be all on the day. We will take it as another game. County finals are there to be won. Moral victories are over no one remembers you when you get to county final and lose it. We want to get the silverware and that’s what we are aiming for”,
She continued, “we have pride and a lot of heart. Heads were down a bit at half time in the semi-final against Kilmihil but we knew the game was still there. We were delighted to get over the line, Kilmihil are a great side and we were delighted to be ahead at the final whistle”.
Asked about the colour ahead of the final she replied “we are used to big days with Clare. We have to focus on ourselves, it’s there and people are talking about it We have to concentrate and get ready for the game. Niall (Hickey) has been in many county finals and Patrick (O’Connor) has been around with teams. They are capable of keeping us focused”.
Concluding Ciara said, “everything is focused on the final. We are delighted to be in Cusack Park, it’s a lovely pitch to play in. We are really looking forward to it”.
