Cahalane sisters looking to steer Barrs to first camogie All-Ireland title

SISTERS IN ARMS: Sisters Kate, Orlaith and Meabh Cahalane of St Finbarrs. Picture: Larry Cummins ECHO SPORT

There was not a shred of doubt. Spectating from defence, Méabh Cahalane privately forecast the outcome. The younger sister did not disappoint.

The All-Ireland semi-final was 93 minutes old. The second period of extra, extra-time was drawing to a close. Light was fading in Ashbourne. The Barrs found themselves behind by the minimum.

A sideline cut on halfway. Sorcha McCartan arrowed possession in the direction of their attacking lighthouse. We’ll let Méabh pick up the action from here.

“Orlaith got on the ball, and I just knew. I said in my head, she’ll nail it, because that’s just the type of player she is,” says the older sister.

The provider of the leveling score raced out to midfield for the ensuing puckout. Taking a pass from Ella Wigginton Barrett, she spotted Ciara Golden inside and mailed the perfect delivery onto the centre-forward's hurley. An assist befitting the winning white flag that followed.

The Barrs posted 3-15 to edge Loughgiel Shamrocks. Orlaith Cahalane contributed 1-4 off her own stick, assisted 1-2, and was fouled for two converted frees.

“Even though she's only 21, she nearly has an old head on her shoulders. The same as the All-Ireland final this year where she stood up and took the goal, which nearly got us over the line, she's very clever and just gets herself into positions that, at times, can be the difference between winning and losing,” Méabh continued.

“She's just a different player, and I'm so lucky that I get to play with her at club and county level, but since she was 3-4 years of age, you could tell that she was going to be unbelievable, if she stuck at it. She just seemed to have the knack of it straightaway.

“Her performance the last day was no surprise to me, to be honest.” 

All four Cahalane sisters were on the field at full-time in Ashbourne. Centre-back Méabh, who turned 30 on Thursday, is the eldest. Fellow half-back Gráinne is 26, Orlaith we’ve covered, while the youngest Kate, an extra-time sub two weeks ago, is 18.

The Barrs will travel by train to Dublin tomorrow morning. When the venues carry a more local Eircode, the four Cahalane sisters will squeeze into Méabh’s Mini.

“I drive, otherwise I don't know if we’d arrive on time! We're all packed in, so the gearbags would be lined up against the window and everything.

“To see how Gráinne has come back from her injury last year and how she’s grown in confidence as this run has continued. Kate is coming on in games and has a great future ahead of her, so for me looking at them playing, I'd be really proud of the performances they've put in, but I don't think we really tell each other at home much.” 

The birthday girl was last in Croke Park on All-Ireland final Sunday in mid-August. As the defeated Cork captain, it is a day that never leaves her.

The Barrs’ journey to a seventh All-Ireland club final - first in camogie - has succeeded in leaving little time to sit alone with one’s thoughts.

“Winning the county and then Munster for the first time was incredible, so not that it makes you forget anything, but it probably just makes dealing with the loss that bit easier.

“We are so lucky with Cork that every year we are competing. Any year you don't get to Croke Park with Cork is a disappointing year, but now to have the opportunity to go there with your club is unbelievable.” 

Even more so going there with each one of your sisters.