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28 | WINTER 2019 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie C laudia Keane was a one-year- old when Donoughmore were crowned All-Ireland senior champions for the second and last time, so you can forgive her for not remembering. But she played a crucial role in their latest triumph, as the Cork and Munster champions defeated MacHale Rovers from Mayo in the All-Ireland Junior Final at Duggan Park in Ballinasloe on 24 November. Former Cork dual star Rena Buckley picked up her 21 st club and inter-county All-Ireland medal after the epic 1-12 to 1-11 extra-time victory under floodlights. But this was just Keane's second national title, and having partnered Buckley in midfield for the majority of the campaign, the 17-year-old was thrilled to learn from the very best in the game. "It is amazing learning from such a role model all the time," said Keane. "She knows what she is on about. When she talks, you listen. She just has amazing advice and you take all you can from it. "She always says mind over matter. In games like that, when it gets tough, you just learn that it's your head that will you get you through it and not the physical things. "I definitely want to be like her. She is such an inspiration with her 18 inter-county All-Ireland medals. "I hope I can get there one day but I don't know yet." Keane won an All-Ireland Minor A medal with Cork when they beat Monaghan 4-11 to 1-8 in their sixth straight final at O'Connor Park in Tullamore in Donoughmore's Claudia Keane tells Daragh Small what it's like learning from one of the best Footballers in the Ladies Game. August of this year. That was a massive achievement before she headed into her Leaving Cert year, but nothing could compare to winning All-Ireland silverware with her club. Donoughmore won All-Ireland senior championships in 2001 and 2003, and they were back in that final in 2004 and 2009. They were the early days for Keane as she was inspired to play football for Donoughmore and camogie for the neighbouring Inniscarra. "That was a massive achievement before she headed into her Leaving Cert year, but nothing could compare to winning All-Ireland silverware with her club". Learning the Master from Above: Claudia Keane of Cork in action against Caoimhe Ward of Monaghan. Below: Cork players Eve Mullins, left, and Abbie O'Mahony celebrate