Dymphna Garrahy dodges the tackle of Hannah Herlihy. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
ALTHOUGH disappointed to bow out in the Munster semi-finals, Kilmurry Ibrickane’s ladies footballers have had a great year, joint manager Patrick O’Connor has said.
Kilmurry Ibrickane came out the wrong side of a 2-13 1-6 scoreline against Kerry champions.
Speaking to The Clare Echo following Sunday’s loss, joint manager O’Connor said, “when we set off back in January our goal was to win a senior championship. We knew today was going to be a tough battle. We knew they were good, they have three of four girls from the Kerry team, their inside line was good. After fifteen minutes I thought we were the better team. I said to Niall (Hickey) we have a chance here”.
Castleisland Desmonds were clinical, O’Connor acknowledged. “Whenever they went forward they punished us, that was the difference in the first half, We had two or three good goal chances and we missed them whereas they took their goal chances. They worked hard off the ball, they will take beating in Munster. Overall it’s been a great journey with these girls and we leave here happy”.
Having only beaten St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield the previous Sunday to win their first senior championship, the seven day turnaround for the provincial semi-final was “very difficult”, he explained.
“It’s hard to come out seven days after winning your first county title. Monday and Tuesday they were enjoying themselves. We were back on the field on Wednesday and our job was to get the girls to believe that we could beat Castleisland. I was frustrated with the first fifteen minutes and then there was the yellow card. It’s time for the girls to enjoy the next few months, they are entitled to enjoy it and four or five will head back in with Clare”.
Ciara Hickey’s absence from the side was “a massive loss” to Kilmurry Ibrickane. “I thought she was our best player last Sunday in the county final. She has given so much to the club in the last eighteen months. Her job is in New York”.
He concluded, “there is a great crop of players there and I believe they will take beating going forward”.
