*Truagh/Clonlara’s Michelle Caulfield. Photograph; Gerard O’Neill

Truagh/Clonlara feel they have the right mix of players to secure senior honours in their first championship final appearance.

Excellent work at underage level has been key to Truagh/Clonlara’s progress to this Saturday’s Clare senior camogie final according to team manager Bob Caulfield and selector Eamonn Noonan.

“A bit unlucky” not to have played at this stage of the senior championship in the past, the South Clare outfit have finally made it to the final “having been knocking on th door for the past few years”.

“When the draw was made out immediate target was to get out of the group and gets to the semi-finals. We knew it wouldn’t be easy as we were grouped with Sixmilebridge, Feakle/Killanena and Inagh/Kilnamona, all very good sides. To emerged from the group as the top team was a huge boost and this led to a semi-final meeting with Kilkishen/Bodyke another very good side,” Caulfield said.

“Look Scariff-Ogonnelloe have been here before. They won this chamionshi; in2019 and went on to win the Munster title. We will have to play very well if we are to beat them. This is a huge challenge for us”, according to Truagh-Clonblara manager Caulfield who has been part of the management team since 2011. “We won the intermediate title in 2012. I really enjoy being involved. The club and the girls are brilliant. We have had great managers over the years and Ger O’Connell was very professional when he was involved”.

Selector Eamonn Noonan believes that the have a “good mix of youth and experience. We have players who have been there for a while and we have players breaking through from the minor team. We have a good mix and it’s very important to have that as it drives things on. There is huge competition for places and we are delighted with that. It’s very hard to pick the team come match day but it’s a great headache to have”.

Being in the final “creates a whole lot of momentum in the club. Our role is to pave the way for the younger teams. If we can manage to win this final it will lead to more girls playing camogie in Clonlara and that’s what we want,” Eamonn said.

Manager Bob praised the commitment of the players. “We have players in Cork and we have girls travelling from London and France. That’s a huge undertaking for them but it will be worth it if we win. We are hugely indebted to the girls”.

Sinead Ryan travels from London and Hannah Horgan makes the journey home from France. “They do their own training and they are ready to go when the get back for the games”.