Truagh-Clonlara set sights on unfinished business

Getting to a final is one thing, winning one is a completely different challenge as Truagh-Clonlara found to their cost last November.

Granted, having relentlessly strived to make the breakthrough to their first ever senior decider, the squad actually got to contest two in the space of a fortnight but that was scant consolation having come out on the wrong side of the replay.

The mindset is different this time around though according to joint-captain Michelle Powell whose sterling performances for the Clare junior side subsequently earned her a prestigious Soaring Star nomination in the last few days.

“Last year was such a novelty. I mean there’s no comparison between winning the semi-final this year because last year we were just so delighted to get past the heartache of almost five or six semi-finals in a row that we just couldn’t get over the line on.

“This time when we won the semi-final, don’t get me wrong, we were delighted to beat Kilmaley but we feel that there’s unfinished business and we know that we’ve a job to do on Saturday.”

So what lessons did Truagh-Clonlara glean from last year’s epic final series in Clarecastle and Broadford? Fellow joint-captain Eimear Kelly takes up the psychological side of county final day.

“What we’ve probably learned is that getting to the final is mission number one and mission number two is just riding out whatever happens on the day. I mean it’s your mind that takes over on county final day because it’s something totally different and the whole occasion takes on a life of its own.

“Things that you would never have prepared for happen and it’s the team that deals with all that best that comes out on top. That was Scariff-Ogonnelloe last year but we feel we’ve learned from both those county finals so all we can do is prepare for it as best we can, concentrate on ourselves and see how far that takes us.”

They will be aided by a huge wave of support from the club and in particular their blossoming underage wing that is currently riding the crest of a wave with all the exciting developments at adult level in the past few seasons according to county senior star Eimear Kelly.

“Aside from winning trophies, getting to that senior final last year has given Truagh a new lease of life and I’d imagine it would be the same for most clubs trying to make a breakthrough.

“I mean when you have a team representing at a high level or a big game, all of a sudden you’ve Under 8’s and 10’s picking up hurleys and participation rates go through the roof so it’s a really positive atmosphere that is so important to maintain.

“The underage teams are buzzing to have a big day out on Saturday with the Senior and Junior A Finals. There are buses and meals arranged and it will be a brilliant day for them so for us to get over the line would just be a massive bonus.”

Taking down the reigning county and Munster champions would be the ultimate accolade and one which Kelly and Co. know will take everything in Truagh-Clonlara’s armoury to accomplish.

“The biggest task for any side is to face Scariff-Ogonnelloe in a county final. What they have done for Clare in’unfinished business’ such a short space of time is almost unbelievable but even to witness their semi-final against Inagh-Kilnamona, there was no just no panic, they kept plugging away as their experienced has taught them that the game is never over until that final whistle.

“They’ve shown that against us last year in the final, Drom & Inch in Munster and now Inagh-Kilnamona so that’s something for us to solve and we’ll see how far we’ve come on Saturday.”