‘It’s a huge task to go back to back’ – Ellen Horgan

2023 was really a year to remember for the people of Clonlara with the securing of Canon Hamilton and a first ever Senior Camogie title that was won in dramatic fashion making it a very short winter in East Clare. After the hurlers exited at the quarter-final stage this year the ladies of Truagh-Clonlara were determined to give their huge following something to shout about. Joint captains, Ellen Horgan and  Laura Foley feel that there is a massive connect amongst all the players male and female and all the supporters and a victory would be for the whole community.

Ellen Horgan (EH) – ” Covid definitely bonded us all together like nothing ever before. If the was one good thing to come out of the pandemic it was that. We were all at home in the Parish and nobody was going outside their 5 km. We just all helped each other through it and everybody was doing whatever they could to help anybody they could. It really brought the meaning of family and friendship to the fore. Look we’ve always been a really close group with sisters and cousins playing with each other. There is never any negativity in our camp whatsoever. It’s all about being positive and working hard for each other.

Laura Foley (LF)-  With the hurlers gone we want to ease the pain. When we go out on the field we play the game for enjoyment but not just our enjoyment it’s for everyone’ to enjoy. We feel really lucky to be part of a great community and I’ll never forget the Munster club last year and the huge support around the place. All the colours and bunting everywhere. It made us even closer if that’s possible and it’s always easier to go to battle with a close bond and this final will be a real battle.”
Both players feel the final is a real fifty fifty game and they’ll need to be at their very best.

EH – ” It’s a huge ask to go back to back in any sport and any competition but we have just one more obstacle. We’ve had a very good campaign so far and to be back in a final is exactly where we want to be. The semi final was a massive battle as is always the case when playing Scariff-Ogonolloe. Whenever you go to extra time you need a bit of luck and thankfully we got through it.”

LH– ” We’ve plenty of experience of playing Inagh-Kilnamona but not in a final. If the semi final last year is anything to go by then it’ll be one hell of a battle. We got over the line in extra time then and it might take that this time around too.  We’re under no illusions at how difficult the final will be. With the greatest of respect to the rest of the clubs we always knew that if we are to retain our title we would have to beat either or both of Scariff-Ogonolloe and Inagh-Kilnamona.”

EH– We feel good about the game and that’s not arrogance but just belief. The way we look at it is that we won the final last year which was amazing considering the injuries. This year we are in a healthy place and although we know there’ll probably only be a puck of a ball in it we will always back ourselves. To this day we talk about last year missing five top players, five central players and how we won. Pure mental resilience got us over that line. Take Sophie who’s just 19 and had to become a Senior goalkeeper. That’s what it’s all about and it makes this year more exciting having those bodies back and if we are to defend the title we will one hundred percent need them.”

LF– “We still have three players on the injured list from the winning team of last year but we have that belief that Ellen spoke about. We see it as a privilege to play for this club and we are ready for the battle. It’s a new task against new opposition with new match ups than the previous three years and we will have to be ready for it.”