Kilmilhil ladies looking forward not back in bid to regain title

Kilmihil manager Kevin Callinan insists his side bear no wounds from their 10-point loss to Banner Ladies in last year’s Senior decider.

Callinan’s side will line out in their sixth county final in seven years as they face the ever present Banner Ladies.

With the Ennis side firm favourites and keen on securing a three in a row after Kilmihil pulled off a shock upset in the decider in 2019, Kilmihil enter the contest as firm underdogs.

Throw in JJ O’Dea’s side securing a 10-point triumph in last year’s decider while beating Kilmihil 2-14 to 2-3 in this year’s round robin series and it goes without saying that Callinan’s charges face a mammoth task if they are to secure a second county title in four years.

However, he is adamant that Kilmihil hold no burden on their shoulders despite suffering more than their fair share of county final heartbreak.

“We wipe the slate clean, and we started again after last year. There is no looking back with us. It’s all about the next ball and the next game. We don’t do looking back in Kilmihil.”

The Kilmihil manager insists that despite the heartbreak of past defeats, motivation has never wavered with this current crop of players.

“This is my fifth or sixth year and it’s my third final as manager. I wouldn’t be here if the girls needed to be motivated. We did do early morning training once because some of the girls would work long hours and we had big numbers still.

“If we accommodate them then they will do the same for us. They are an excellent bunch to work with and they’re always trying to get better.”

Kilmihil have been strengthened by the addition of Cúil Gaels’ Tara Kelly, Emma McMahon, Ailish Kenny and Michelle Madigan.

Callinan believes the quartet have brought a fresh energy to the side both on and off the field of play.

“They offer loads of encouragement as well as experience. With some of the girls having been with the county they were late coming in but they have fitted in well.

“They have brought loads of enthusiasm since joining us and it’s a big experience for them too to play in a county final. The younger girls would look up to them so it’s great to have them with us.”

Emma McMahon looks set to miss out with a knee injury in what is Kilmihil’s only major injury concern.
Callinan believes his side’s final round robin game with Kilmurry Ibrickane, which ended in a draw and their semi final win over West Clare Gaels have primed them for battle in Doonbeg this Sunday.
“The last two games should stand to us. We got a good test against Kilmurry which we expected because they are always tough to beat.
“West Clare Gaels started much better than us the last day so we hope those games stand to us.
“We expect nothing but a serious challenge from the Banner but it’s anybody’s game. Whoever shows the most hunger will get over the line.”