Paula aims to keep it in the family
But Cork camogie star Paula O'Connor isn't daunted. Armed with the hurley her father Bernie crafted for her four years ago, Paula is totally focused on tomorrow's All-Ireland clash with Tipperary.
Paula, a two-time All-Ireland medal winner and younger sister of Cork senior hurling stars Ben and Jerry, said tomorrow's decider is the only thing on her mind.
"It's time now to forget about the hurling. I have my own game to play tomorrow," the 24-year-old wing back said.
It's been a crazy week in the O'Connors' Newtownshandrum home, said Paula.
"It's been hectic. We haven't seen Ben and Jerry much since Sunday. The phone's been ringing all week. It's mad."
"There's always pressure before a big game. But after the lads winning last Sunday, there is just that little bit of added pressure this time. But I'm not thinking beyond the final whistle," she added.
The O'Connor family will be making their second trip in a week to Croke Park tomorrow to support Paula. Mother Kathleen, father Bernie, twins Ben and Jerry, John, Eamon, Michelle, Kevin, David, Steve and Marie and her daughter Katie will all be in the Hogan Stand.
If Paula wins her third All-Ireland, it will cap a remarkable week and year for the family.
Ben, Jerry and John helped Newtown won the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship last March. That win sparked a week of celebrations, the high point of which was the village's reception for the Tommy O'Moore Cup.
Similar scenes greeted the Liam McCarthy Cup as it was carried triumphantly into Newtown late last Tuesday night.
Celebrations have waned in the last few days. But if Paula manages to win her third All-Ireland medal tomorrow, the Newtown party will kick off again to welcome the O'Duffy Cup.
The Foras na Gaeilge All-Ireland Senior Camogie final will be screened live on Network 2 on Sunday with coverage starting at 3pm.
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