Galway ready to take final step

WHEN Brenda Hanney led Killimor to All-Ireland senior club camogie final success last month, it was an achievement celebrated not just in the east Galway parish but throughout the county.

Hanney reasoned: “It (the win) would be a boost to the morale of camogie in Galway. But it also takes away the mystery of Croke Park because in the past, Galway sides hadn’t done well there. If a club like Killimor can do it, why not the Galway team itself? Croke Park is just another pitch.”

Galway’s last foray at GAA headquarters ended with an All-Ireland final defeat to Wexford. Tomorrow the sides meet again the League Division One decider at Semple Stadium but Hanney insists revenge isn’t foremost in her mind.

She explained: “There’s a bit of history between Galway and Wexford but it’s not something we’re focusing on. On a personal level we’d like to prove ourselves against our respective opponents because we were a little bit hurt after the All-Ireland final but we haven’t been roaring and shouting about it in training.

“We won’t be basing our whole year around it. It’s nice to be there and it would be nice to get the Wexford scalp while we’re at it. Now we’re in the final we should aim to win it.”

Hanney took three weeks off after the club success but is now ensconced in a routine that includes making the journey from Clonmel to Galway and back on a Wednesday night. A chemical engineer at Merck, Sharp & Dohme in Ballydine, just outside Carrick-on-Suir, she is home for the Friday night and ‘one other’ session.

Turning 25 next month has her approaching veteran status in this code and the experience will certainly help with the captaincy but with Therese Maher and Veronica Curtin, there is no shortage of leaders in this squad.

“It feels fresh with a new team, a new set-up. I’m new to the captaincy and going up for the toss will be my first job. I’ll try and win that anyway! We’re very lucky in Galway in that it’s not a one-person job. Everyone pitches in.”

Meanwhile, Waterford play Antrim in the Division 2 decider at Ashbourne. The sides required a replay to be separated in the All-Ireland junior decider last term with Antrim overturning a six-point interval deficit to win by four. The Saffrons emerged from Group 1 with a 100% record from four games, with Jane Adams and Raquel McCarry starring in attack. Waterford needed a play-off against Cork to qualify. Significant contributions from Trish Jackman, Karen Kelly and Ruth Geoghegan saw them edge past the Leesiders.