Ambitious Down in All-Ireland bid

Ambitious Down in All-Ireland bid

10 September 2014

DOWN senior camogs go for glory on Sunday when they take on Laois in the All-Ireland Junior final at Croke Park.

This will be Down’s third final in four years and the girls are determined to exorcise the ghosts of finals past. It’s now 23 years since Down last won the All-Ireland Junior crown, but all that could change come 1.15 on Sunday.

Heartbreaking defeats to Waterford in 2011 and Meath in 2012 have haunted this squad over the past 24 months and now is the time to get the monkey off their backs.

Laois will be no pushovers on Sunday. They narrowly lost out in last year’s decider to Kildare and want to make amends for that reversal.

Down played Laois twice this year, beating them in Pairc Esler Newry in the National League, but Laois defeated the Mourne by one point in the round robin series of the championship so this is going to be a close match to call.

Manager Alastair McGilligan has no doubts that his side will be crowned All-Ireland champions on Sunday.

“If I didn’t think we can win then there wouldn’t be much point in turning up. Of course, it is going to be difficult, but the weight of expectation is off the girls in this final and I firmly believe that this is our year,” he told the Recorder last night.

“The players have worked extremely hard since the start of the campaign and they deserve success, but they know that is not enough. Sunday’s game has to be won and I feel that we have the right blend of youth and experience to bring the cup back to Down.

“Croke Park holds no fears for our girls, despite losing those two finals. The rub of the green just wasn’t with us on those occasions, but we are now a bigger, better and more resource full side since that defeat by Meath.

“We have experienced players in the main positions and in Niamh Mallon, Catherine McGourty, Ciara McGovern, Lisa McAliskey and Karen McMullan we have potential matchwinners.

“Laois have been knocking on the door of success like ourselves, but I am convinced that out greater hunger and commitment will stand by us. I couldn’t have asked from anything more from the girls, and they know way they have to do the minute they cross the white line on Sunday.

“We will meet up early in Newry on Sunday morning and go through our normal preparations for the game.

“Former Portaferry and Down hurler Marty Mallon has been with us as coach since the June and he has brought a fresh approach and winning mentality to the team.

“He is a born winner and doesn’t know the meaning of the word defeat. He is always positive and innovative in his training methods and he will have the girls in great shape for Sunday.

“There has been a great buzz in training and although the girls are relaxed, they can’t wait for the throw-in to come.

“We held a pre-match media night in Clonduff on Friday night and the girls were delighted with the number of children who came out to cheer them on.

“It meant a lot to the girls as the whole place came alive as they mingled with the supporters and children, who were all looking for photos and autographs,” he said.

Deirdre McGrath, county chairperson said: “This year’s camogie championship, in association with Liberty Insurance, has been as exciting as ever and we in Down are delighted to be back in Croke Park for a third time in four years.

“It has been a long year, but you get results by being committed to what you do. Laois and Down are no strangers to one another and will be acutely aware of each others strengths.

“Down had a great run in the National League being narrowly beaten in the final by Cork and this was a learning curve for us going into the championship.”