Shot at redemption the focus for Clann

“It’s like the joy of winning it still had no comparison to the pain of losing it" — Jalen Hurts.

Less than a week after Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts helped his team win Super Bowl LIX last year against the Kansas City Chiefs, the admittedly rarely excitable quarter-back gave a frank and honest admission about how the pain of losing far outweighed the joy of winning.

Despite seeing his side inflict a beatdown on the reigning champions, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy and winning Super Bowl MVP as the city of Philadelphia rejoiced even in the weeks after the game, Hurts freely admitted that the pain of losing the Super Bowl two years previously to the Chiefs still rankled.

Although there may be no discernible link between Clann na nGael’s senior ladies’ footballers and the Philadelphia Eagles, both sides know the pain of losing and the joy of winning on the biggest day.

For Clann manager, John Molloy, when asked for his feelings about reaching a county final, his response spoke volumes about the focus in the Clann dressing room this year. Every iota of energy has been directed towards reaching a fifth county final in six years.

The joy of winning the 2024 final against St. Brigid’s isn’t brought up by Molloy. Even though he wasn’t in charge last year when Clann lost last season’s final to their great rivals, it was immediately embedded in his post-match reflections when asked to reflect on how he felt in helping the Johnstown-based club be part of the biggest day in the local club calendar.

“I think there is a small little bit of redemption for the girls after the final last year, so our target this year was to get back to the final. We are there now, so we can go and enjoy it and prepare for it,” he noted.

If Clann are to scratch that itch and overcome a Boyle side that have looked imperious in the knockout stages so far, then Caoimhe Lennon will likely be at the forefront.

Molloy was full of praise for his full-forward’s efforts on Sunday last while he felt that his side’s runs from deep, which was evidenced in all three goals scored against St. Dominic’s, was pleasing.

“A lot of teams concentrate on Caoimhe and it opens up gaps for other girls. Caoimhe is a very talented footballer. I don’t have to say too much about her, except that she is an absolute star with the county and with us.

“She is well able to get out in front and win a ball and with runners coming off her shoulder, we work on that hard running, so they were well able for it today,” Molloy noted.

The Athlone native admitted that his side’s greater accuracy was invaluable while he credited the depth in the squad for helping to ensure Clann could burst through the tape by kicking the final five points of the contest.

“I couldn’t believe it was still 1-2 to 1-2 coming up towards half time. I think they had 30 per cent conversion rate in the first half and we had 65 (per cent conversion rate) so that was a reflection on what the score was. I said to the girls they are going to be up, or we might come down, so we have to up the tempo that bit more, which they did in the second half.

“When you can bring on five girls then who are going to push it on even further, I think that was probably the difference,” he concluded.