Gordon backs Athleague to land 'Holy Grail'

The chance to join Four Roads and become only the second Roscommon team to win the All-Ireland junior club camogie championship is the carrot dangling in front of the Athleague senior camogie team when they meet Granemore from Armagh in this season’s final at Kinnegad on Saturday afternoon (throw-in is at 1 p.m.).

It’s a tough ask for Liam Gordon’s side who will have to bring their A game to the Westmeath venue against high-quality opponents who are on the crest of a wave after winning the club’s first Ulster title alongside taking out a fancied Knockananna side in the All-Ireland semi-final.

To put Granemore’s performance in the last four into perspective, Knockananna defeated St. Dominic’s by 1-8 to 0-2 in last year’s semi-final.

But Athleague, who lost the 2015 final by nine points against Johnstownbridge from Kildare, have demonstrated their capacity to find an extra gear, nourished by their ability to get goals, in the games that have mattered this season.

The return of Elaine Daly-Donnelly, Kelley Hopkins and Annette McDermott to the panel has buttressed the panel’s strength-in-depth, and while Daly-Donnelly and Hopkins have been used from the start, McDermott’s impact off the bench has been pivotal, as evidenced by her goal against St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield in the semi-final on Sunday week last.

Indeed there’s an experienced cohort embedded within the team. Goalkeeper Paula Daly, joint captains Chloe Whyte-Lennon and Rachel Fitzmaurice, Laura Fleming and Niamh Conway are well used to what’s needed at this time of year. Tara Naughton has been in a rich vein of scoring form at full-forward, while Éabha Dowd, Meabh Tiernan and Aideen O’Brien are capable of building a solid platform in Athleague’s half-back line.

“You never go out at the start of a season to win an All-Ireland title. The county final defeat (against St. Dominic’s) was a hard one to take last year. We were fully up for that game. We thought that we would win it, and it didn’t work out.

“We were slow enough to get going this year. In fairness to the girls, they’ve had a lot going on in their lives with other sports and exams. We wanted to start off on the front foot in the championship, but we didn’t, losing the first two games. Then we beat Oran under the light in Ballyforan in a really good game of camogie, and our season really kicked off from there.

“We got over the semi-final and we played well in the final against St. Dominic’s. The Connacht final against Shamrocks (where Athleague shipped seven goals) was a harsh defeat to take. It was hard to absorb, so it was tough for the girls to get themselves going for an All-Ireland club semi-final. But they were ready for it,” was manager Liam Gordon’s summary of his side’s journey so far.

Gordon, who is one of the most well-known intercounty hurling referees in the country, is joined on the Athleague management team by Caoilfhionn Coyle, Shirley Whyte, Seán O’Brien and Mike Conneely. There was great news in the camp last week when it emerged that team physio, Aisling Brannelly, gave birth to a baby boy, and Athleague will be hoping to celebrate on the double next Saturday.

“The people in the area have been unbelievable. We’ve used Creggs GAA grounds a lot, Creggs Rugby and Tremane. Everyone in those clubs have been so good to us. Whatever we’ve asked for, the community has rowed in behind us.

“Granemore are a fine side. They’re very strong down the middle — good full-back, good centre-back and some very good scoring forwards. They’re strong runners with the ball as well. As with all northern teams, they’ll be very physical but they’re well able to play. It will be a mammoth task. It’s one we have to meet head on,” acknowledged Gordon who is six years at the helm in Athleague.

Whatever the outcome, the County Galway native stresses the need for his players to perform, acknowledging that they have been a credit to themselves, their families and the club during their elusive search for national glory.

“Most people are preparing for Christmas. We have three mothers on the team who are looking after their kids, trying to get ready for Santa. But their main focus at the moment is the All-Ireland final on Saturday. They’re rearing to go.

“I’d back this group of players 100 per cent. They just have to apply themselves as well as they can. They need to trust and believe in their own ability, and stick with the process. If we do that, and we back ourselves to the hilt, we won’t be far away,” he concluded.

If Athleague hit their best form, they’ll give themselves a sniff of victory. But Granemore have looked extremely impressive on their match to this final, and the feeling is that they’re the warmest of favourites to add more silverware to their collection.

Can Athleague tear up the pre-match script? Possibly, but unlikely.

HERALD VERDICT: Granemore