Clare minor camogie boss ready to defy underdog tag

Clare Minor Camogie manager Eleanor Walsh is hopeful her side can defy their underdog tag when facing Cork this afternoon in the Munster final.

This Clare side have defeated Limerick and Waterford en route to the final as they tore up the formbook in their semi final win against the Déise.

After being beaten by Waterford 4-13 to 3-7 in the All Ireland series after a sobering opening half before losing to the same side by 5-14 to 0-6 a month ago, Clare were not tipped to reach this stage of the competition.

However, two Mary Hanrahan goals helped them to flip the script as they ousted Waterford from the competition, prevailing 2-12 to 0-12 in Sixmilebridge last weekend.

Walsh hopes her side can produce another massive performance as they enter this game as firm underdogs against a Cork side that won the All Ireland title in March.

“We will approach this game the same way as the Waterford one. We were massive underdogs and maybe they (Waterford) didn’t give us credit for our skill. We always thought we weren’t as bad as what we showed in our last meetings with them. We just said we would grasp the opportunity if it came our way.”

“We wanted to stand up and show what we are capable of. That’s what we want to do again. We want the girls to hurl away. We have a process but there is freedom there to go out and play too.

“We are facing the All Ireland champions so we have nothing to lose.”

With her daughter Abby a part of the team, the Scariff-Ogonnelloe clubwoman admits it takes time to get used to working with a family member in this capacity.

She has plenty of experience in this regard having been a mentor on the Scariff-Ogonnelloe side that claimed the Munster title with Abby a member of that panel.

“I am getting used to it now. It is tricky and lovely at the same time. To be honest when it comes to county, she is treated like all the other girls. Work hard, be prepared and do your best. That’s what we want all the girls to do.”

“I am so lucky that every player will give me and the rest of the management team everything. Their commitment is terrific. It has been a slog because these girls were training through winter. They would start and finish training in the dark so they have all given a huge commitment.”

Walsh is joined on the management team by John Hanrahan (Crusheen), Niamh Cooney (Parteen) and Eileen Gleeson (Truagh-Clonlara). Mike Beddows (Scariff-Ogonnelloe) is the sides’ Strength and Conditioning coach.

Heading in to the encounter, Ella Cahill looks set to mis out with a knee injury. Lauren Slater suffered a rib injury against Waterford but has since returned to training. Labhaoise O’Donnell is coming back from a broken finger while Eva Fitzgibbon is back in contention after being away for the Munster semi final.

The win against Waterford kickstarted an excellent weekend for Clare Camogie. With Clare qualifying for the Munster Junior Camogie final after defeating Cork and the senior side finishing all square with Tipperary, there are promising signs for camogie in the county.

Walsh is happy with how the county are continuing to develop underage talent as she references Coláiste Muire reaching the All Ireland Senior B final in February.

“The last two or three years you can see the effort put in to developing underage talent. There are numbers coming through the and U13s and 14s.

“There’s a lot of good coaching and supports for clubs right now.”

“There has been great success in the schools, even seeing Coláiste Muire reach an All Ireland final, that helps camogie in the county and gives players belief.”

“There are good supports for county teams and clubs with new S&C policies in place. We’ve got great sponsorship from EI (Electronics) and a few others too.”

“The momentum around female participation in sport is growing and there’s more in newspapers and TV now.

“Clare Camogie has aligned itself and put in place the proper supports to help teams compete.”

Walsh believes Scariff-Ogonnelloe’s run to the All Ireland semi finals has helped her current crop of minors with players such as Abby, Labhaoise O’Donnell and Lorraine Grady gaining valuable experience.

She admits that with many of the current panel having experienced the cut and thrust of senior club camogie, they have been battle hardened.

“If you are able to play and experience playing big matches then it is always good. The girls can bring learnings in to the county scene. The great thing about club is that there’s such a variety in age that the minors can learn from the older players in their set ups.”

“They can see how experienced players deal with different situations. It’s been a massive gain for us because this group are experienced for their age.

“They know how to get their preparation right and get their head right for the big game. With the club some girls got that experience but other girls have experienced playing in finals with their school so that always helps.”

Walsh is keenly aware that her side face a mammoth task when coming up against the current All Ireland champions. However, she insists her side will be full of confidence heading in to the decider.

“The big thing for us will be to get focused and instil belief in the girls.

“They are a great team so we just need to concentrate on our own team and our own performance.

“We have momentum after beating Limerick and Waterford and hopefully e can bring tat forward and pair it up with the skill. It will be tough but we are well able to cope with whatever Cork throw at us.”