Teamwork and hunger pivotal for Oran

Oran senior camogie manager, Colm Kelly, is hoping that the hunger festering among his players will be unleashed next Saturday to procure a first senior camogie crown for the club since 2002.

While it will be a first Senior A final for his players, Kelly — whose family is synonymous with Oran GAA Club — is backing the ladies in green, white and gold to defy their underdogs status.

“It is a first senior final for a lot of them but they have the experience of underage finals for their club and county. We have experienced players too, but we’re not naïve to the challenge that’s ahead of us.

“We know that Dominic’s will be physical and that they’ll be very determined, but so will the Oran girls. When it comes down to a county final, it’s about who is the hungriest team, and we’re hungry. I’m expecting a titanic battle,” he predicted.

Oran have been rewriting the history books this season with a first senior league crown since 2001. To Kelly, it’s no surprise given these players’ successes with their county and the Convent of Mercy.

“Having won the league for the first time in 23 years, we obviously would like to win a first championship since 2002. We’re not greedy but it’s a long time for Oran without a championship.

“The girls have won a couple of U-14 and minor titles. There’s a good mix there but they wouldn’t have the experience that St. Dominic’s would have in a senior final. But I will say this about our girls — they’re a very determined group of girls.

“We had a good few on Roscommon junior team this season. A few of them were on the minor team that played A championship earlier this year. So they’re not afraid of a challenge. Physicality won’t be an issue, and Dominic’s will have plenty of that,” he felt.

With a mix of young and experienced players at this disposal, Kelly is hoping that Oran can strike the right balance to bring success to the club on Saturday evening.

“They’d be a gap of 16 or 17 years between the oldest and youngest on the team, which is great. One can learn from the other.

“Both teams know each other very well. The younger girls have won All-Ireland titles with each other in Roscommon and the Convent of Mercy colours. But this is a different ball game.

“It’s all about a team performance in a county final. Whoever has the greatest level of teamwork will go a long way to winning it,” he highlighted.