This article is from page 103 of the 2008-09-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 103 JPG
AS WORRY and thoughts of heart- ache turned to sheer relief, delight and eventually elation on this Mon- day, the work, sweat and tears that this bunch of girls and management have been through to achieve what has been a long time coming is slow- ly becoming a reality.
Twelve years have passed and only Catherine O’Loughlin survives that success. These have been twelve hard years though and the work that has gone in at all levels from county to clubs to schools is now coming to fruition. After many attempts at fall- ing at the final hurdle and a Minor All-Ireland final appearance, Clare have come back to Ennis as Junior All-Ireland champions.
For this team of girls (save for some) and management and myself, indeed this has been (maybe com- pared to others) a short journey. But one with as many twists, turns, lows and eventual highs as any road or journey may have.
Being with the girls in the early months of last year and to see the commitment which they put into the game and their preparations and the dedication which they gave to each other, the team, their management, clubs and all aspects of life, it was total heartbreak to see them defeated last year in the final in Croke Park. And how that broke their hearts.
There is always a flip side though and the character that these girls posess brought them through what was a dark hour. Through the depth- sof Winter, these girls got together and with steely determination re- solved with a frankness that they were going to get back to business and would do whatever it would take to bring back glory to the Banner and camogie.
This proclamation began to come to fruition as the team delivered the National League Division 2 Title, Munster U18 Title and an All-Ireland final appearance. Delivery came in the final two minutes of an agonizing game in Croke Park on Sunday. A
game that I will have to say I am yet to watch again and when I do, I may be able to enjoy it as each minute was sweated out with baited breath in the rafters of the Hogan Stand.
To say that the moment was enjoyed would be a stretch but each moment since has been a joy to the reaction of the players the management. The tears of relief and joy and the humil- ity behind it all and the work that they along with others have put in to become All-Ireland Champions. I can only salute the work and dedica- tion that they have because they have overcome many difficult obstacles and lost team-mates along the way to injury and other commitments and it is this huge family of players and backround staff that we salute.
Thanks for all the memories and well done!