Ladies Gaelic Football

40 | AUTUMN 2020 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie They'll now play Sligo's St Nathy's in the refixed Connacht Final, which is due to take place in January. Beyond that, there's the prospect of another All-Ireland series. For Nicola Ward, getting back on the field of play was a challenge in itself – and she's anxious to exorcise some demons. "It was very disappointing to lose the (2019) Final after coming so close – but also naturally enough it was gutting to suffer another personal setback with the knee injury," she says. "For a few days after, I was obviously very down in the dumps but then I realised quickly that it was essential that I tried to get to the root of the issue so that I could commence my rehab and journey back to full fitness." Ward explains that, thankfully, there was no anterior cruciate ligament tear in her knee, but corrective surgery was required. She's used the Covid-enforced break to her advantage and "saw it as a great opportunity to make good progress with the recovery." Ward is one of the real driving forces in Kilkerrin-Clonberne, starring in a team that also features twin sister, fellow TG4 All Star, and current Galway team captain Louise. The Divilly sisters, Siobhan and Olivia, are also county team players and key stars for Kilkerrin-Clonberne, while younger sister, Niamh, has linked up with the club panel this year. "The club was formed in 1993, and won the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship in 1999," Siobhan explains. "The club regained senior status in 2013 and have since won eight county senior titles and a number of Connacht titles. "The club has also had a number of successes at underage level, winning county titles, Division 1 Féile, and All- Ireland 7s titles. "Within the club, we have been lucky enough to have a good underage structure, which has resulted in our success at senior level." Reidy took the reins in 2018, having rebuffed an initial approach from Freddie Gannon, father of club star and Galway player Lisa. Reidy says that he genuinely wasn't interested but it was a revered club legend who managed to twist his arm. Reidy had managed Annette Clarke, the 2004 TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship winning captain, for a spell when he was in charge of the county team. He couldn't say no to 'Clarkie' – but agreeing to come on board came with a proviso. "I said I'd get involved if Kieran, her husband, would get involved, a bit of horse- trading! I managed him at club level." Reidy smiles: "It's a very welcoming club – obviously I'm an outsider but I would have known a good few from managing Galway. Everyone's just to friendly there. "From a club point of view, the players themselves are winners, they want to win, want to learn, want to train, love their football. "That's the bottom line. From a manager/trainer point of view, that makes life easier. You don't have to be dragging them to training. "The club would be very proud of the county girls – at present we have 10 on the senior panel. It's a pleasure to be involved, an absolute pleasure, and it's the girls who drive it. "Kieran, John, myself, Deirdre and Aine on management – we would be facilitators. With players, they either want it or they don't. These girls obviously do." Kilkerrin-Clonberne hope to annex a third successive Connacht senior crown in the New Year – and having planted their flag on the provincial summit, the hope is that there's national success to come. The blend is really good – Clarke's still playing, Lisa Gannon and Lisa Murphy add further experience, with the Wards, Divillys and Sarah Gormally other terrific players in the fold. "We'd love to think so," says Reidy, when asked if Kilkerrin-Clonberne can take that final step. "We just take one game at a time – I've said that before and it might sound boring or an easy way out of an answer but we just take one game at a time. Last year we were very unlucky in the All-Ireland Final but you make your own luck. I'd give great credit to Mourneabbey – they stuck at it. We have a very, very good team but you need a lot of luck on any given day to win a game as well." FEATURE Ciara O'Sullivan of Mourneabbey is tackled by Olivia Divilly of Kilkerrin Clonberne during the All- Ireland Ladies Senior Club Championship Final match between Kilkerrin-Clonberne and Mourneabbey at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick

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