She’s been there from the outset of the Scariff-Ogonnelloe revolution a decade ago, writes Eoin Brennan, and while she wasn’t saying it out loud, there was a clear sense that Susan Vaughan is on the final leg of a memorable journey with her native club and is determined to make it count.

An integral part of their breakthrough season in 2013 when winning county intermediate and Munster junior titles, a subsequent All-Ireland Final defeat to Carlow’s Myshall was in fact Vaughan’s last camogie match until after her international rugby sevens career concluded.

That was in 2019, a perfect dovetail as it turned out, as her return coincided with an even more auspicious run of firsts for Scariff-Ogonnelloe at senior level. Blazing a new trail through Clare and Munster, the East Clare side become the first Banner club to win a provincial senior crown in 30 years.

Unfortunately, that’s where their meteoric ground-breaking adventure ended as four-in-a-row chasing Slaughtneil just had the edge on ruthlessness and experience in the All-Ireland Semi-Final.

“Looking back now, we were probably a bit nervous. We got off to a really bad start and we tried to get ourselves back into the game but just came up a little short in the end so hopefully this time around we can build on that experience.”

“There are a good few players that have been there before and are able to lead the younger players and take the pressure off them. So getting back to this stage is great but we just want to take that extra step now.”

Taking the extra step and following her dreams has always been central to Vaughan’s sporting philosophy as her natural all-round ability, determination and leadership have ensured a glittering career to date, highlighted by her prestigious six year stint with the Ireland Rugby Sevens squad.

“It was really full on but a great experience as you played with some of the best athletes from all different sports and backgrounds and I couldn’t recommend it enough to any player.

“The bottom line is that if you want to go off and do something like this, you should because it transcends your game in different sports. And if you want to go back and play camogie after that, the skills you’ve developed, the standard of fitness and the communication levels in the Sevens are just off the chart. If you’re not talking, you’re not playing basically so that experience and what I learned over that period was just amazing really.

“I felt very privileged to be able to represent my country and my club as well and everyone that has put me in that position.

“The bottom line is that you’re in an elite club because there haven’t been that many people that have gotten such as opportunity to do that.

“Look, It’s not for everyone, there are serious sacrifices you have to make, you miss family occasions etc but it’s worth it in the end.”

Based in Dublin, the former county senior’s dedication to sport is currently just as relentless.

“I play Gaelic football with Clanna Gael Fontenoy on Mondays and Wednesdays, soccer Tuesdays and Thursdays with St Pats CYFC and then I come down home on Fridays and Saturdays. We actually won the league in soccer so it’s good to be around winning teams.”

And no rugby?
“No I left rugby just before I came back playing with Scariff-Ogonnelloe in 2019. Between the Ireland Sevens and my club Railway Union, it just took a big toll on the body and feeling as if I was coming to the end of my career in sport, I always wanted to finish off playing camogie so I made the choice to play with Scariff-Ogonnelloe instead.

“As it turned out, I probably came back at the right time so it was great to come back again and everyone was very welcoming and supportive.”

The rest is history as Vaughan and Co. have since captured two County and Munster titles in just three seasons, with a newer crop of young talent paramount to this year’s success according to the Ogonnelloe native.

“It’s a testament to the club that there is such a conveyor belt of underage players consistently coming through. You see the Under 16s and minors, they’re all winning championships too and in time will become the core of the adult side.

“Two years ago there was a completely different team almost and a few more experienced heads like myself, Mairead {Scanlan] and Bob [Aisling Corbett] stayed on to usher in the newer girls and help that transition.

“But not all clubs have such a dynamic so it’s a testament to the club and the quality of coaching and the bottom line is that we just enjoy it. I mean you’re playing with your friends so if you’re not enjoying it, there’s no point playing. We’re just lucky that there is such a buzz around Scariff-Ogonnelloe and it’s about maximising that come Sunday now.”

Vaughan’s vast sporting experience and innate leadership gives her a unique insight into Sunday’s All-Ireland Semi-Final against Oulart-the-Ballagh as she looks to spearhead what would be the club’s greatest ever victory.

“I’m probably a bit more process driven that everyone else as I tend to take the emotion out of it. If I’m playing soccer, I’m playing soccer and it’s the same for every sport I play but It also helps hugely when it comes to occasions like this. At the end of the day, this is just another game, there’s a winner and a loser so we just have to do the same thing as you do every single time you get on the pitch.”

“The basics are always the same. You can’t focus on Oulart, you can only control the controllables and do what you can do. We all have confidence in everyone around us to do their bit and I think that has been the driving force of this team.

“I think sometimes if you build it up too much, you’re going to fall so you have to realise that it’s just a game.

“I know the end prize is very nice and we’d love to be there but if we look too far ahead, we’ll just miss the opportunity in front of us so it’s all about focusing on doing our job on Sunday.”

“Look, the favourites don’t always win.”

Nothing is impossible with Susan Vaughan on board.