Abby hoping to maintain Curran tradition

The Curran name is no stranger to championship silverware in Kiltoom, and St. Brigid’s joint captain Abby Curran will be looking to add another medal to her home’s already heaving mantlepiece when the dust settles on Saturday’s county senior ladies' football final against Clann na nGael in Ballyleague.

The Brigid’s midfielder has played a leading role in her side’s unbeaten championship run so far, highlighting the key factors that have left the club on the cusp of its first senior title in ten years.

“This year, we’ve had a change of management. Laura (Harrison) and Eddie (Nestor) came in last January, and we’ve worked really hard since then at our gym work and at training, and stuff like that,” she replied when asked to elaborate on the strong foundation built by the new management team in the early months of the year.

Curran, who is in her final year of Sports and Exercise Management in UCD, credits the unity amongst the team as a key ingredient in their almost-flawless performances in the championship this season.

“There’s a very strong bond among all of us, and I really think that has played a significant role in our success so far. We get on as a team, and everyone is great friends on and off the pitch.

“I suppose the key is working hard. We’ve rowed in together and brought into everything Laura and Eddie have put in place for us,” she continued.

The former Our Lady’s Bower student, whom she captained to the All-Ireland senior schools’ success — starting alongside fellow Brigid’s players Doireann Ní Ruairc, Áine McGrath and Marian Nolan, who has racked up nine goals this championship — highlighted that eight of the Brigid’s starting team from their semi-final against Éire Óg were aged 19 or younger.

She also acknowledged the experience Clann have entering the game, adding that her team-mates are looking forward to the challenge.

“Yeah look, we’re really excited. We’re very well aware of the challenge that lies ahead. Clann are a very experienced team. They have competed in numerous county finals, obviously being in the last three county finals where they won two of them.

“We’ve a very young team but we’re really excited. There’s a great buzz around the place and at training, but in saying that we’re very aware of the challenge Clann will pose. They have a lot of older, experienced players, and they’re a great side as well,” she acknowledged.

Curran is well aware of the local rivalry that will take centre stage, and what impact it may have Saturday’s final.

“It will definitely play a big factor. I’ve no doubt it’s going to be a dogfight. We’ve met them twice now this year and beat them twice, but, in saying that, we’re well aware of the challenge that lies ahead.”

The two sides have already faced off in a final this year — Brigid’s emerging as seven-point victors in April — and Curran predicted that their third meeting this season would be more like that league final than the facile championship victory a few weeks ago.

“Our league final was a dogfight. Up until the last couple of minutes, it could have gone either way. So the teams know each other so well, and that brings its own excitement,” she concluded.