O’Reilly aims to keep the good times going

Final number two in a hectic window of activity around Creggs.

For the Creggs women’s rugby team, their Connacht Senior Women’s Cup final is a moment to savour — the club’s first time qualifying for the showpiece event of this competition in what is another sign of the continued growth of women’s rugby in Creggs.

Given the proud tradition that exists within the club and the fact that they have managed to reach this stage in their third year since reforming, there is plenty of cause for optimism.

Add in the fact that the game is sandwiched in between the men’s league and cup finals — meaning supporters will travel to the Dexcom Stadium three weekends on the trot — and it is easy to see why these are exciting times for the club.

For Creggs women’s captain Susan O’Reilly, this journey is particularly sweet given that her side fell to Sligo at the semi-final stage last year, denying them a home final.

“It is huge. Last year, we finished on a sour note on the girls’ side anyway. We did well in the Invitational and in the league, but our cup campaign fell apart a little bit.

“We felt that we didn’t represent ourselves well against Sligo in last year’s cup semi-final. We left with a bitter taste in our mouths. We were annoyed with ourselves that we didn’t put our best foot forward.

“Instead of finishing on a high, even with a strong performance next weekend we can look back when the dust settles and say, we got there for the first time. That’s huge.

“The fact there are players that are brand new to the team and the fact that we are playing at the Dexcom Stadium is a huge achievement. Even if it doesn’t go our way, but hopefully it will, I think we can step back and say wasn’t it great? At least here it is — a grandstand finish.

“Especially with the lads and the fact we had a double header for our cup semi-finals, it is great. Both teams are getting appreciation. The next few weeks will be a whirlwind of activity, and the club will get behind us,” she noted.

The Art teacher at Dunmore Community School is all too aware of the challenge that lies ahead. After losing out to Sunday’s opponents in last year’s league final, the prop knows her side will need to produce a seismic display.

With Tuam, who were formerly known as Tuam/Oughterard prior to this season, having won their fourth league title in a row and their third Connacht Cup on the spin, Creggs will fill the role of underdogs. But O’Reilly is relishing the challenge.

“They are a fantastic group of girls who work really well together but, at the end of the day, they are just another team. Maybe we had them up on a pedestal. They’ve enjoyed a fantastic run of four years, and they have been on top for the last three years in particular.

“But you can see they are becoming more within reach. I don’t think that has anything to do with them. They’ve set the standard of what women’s rugby should be like in Connacht and we have to rise to that standard. I have seen it in other teams, who have really upped their games this year,” O’Reilly stated.

Despite changes in personnel this season, O’Reilly feels that the 4G surface, which Creggs train and play on regularly, and her side’s past experiences of playing at the Dexcom Stadium, will stand to her side.

“I think the Dexcom will suit us. I know it was out of order last year, but we played Westport in the Connacht Plate final and we played OLBC there before. The 4G surface is perfect for us. We are so used to it, so I think that will suit our game. Hopefully, the stand will be filled enough to impact our game positively.

“Hopefully we produce a performance fit for the occasion, and we put on a cracker of a game. I am hoping that the occasion will bring everyone on and boost everyone more,” she concluded.