Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1411448
www.ladiesgaelic.ie | AUTUMN 2021 | 23 Verdict BIG MATCH BIG MATCH VERDICT: GRACE CLIFFORD (KILDARE) ON THE TG4 INTERMEDIATE FINAL Q: Grace, thanks for chatting to us. You tuned in to watch the 2021 TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Final between Westmeath and Wexford. What were your thoughts on the game? A : Overall I thought the quality of football played by Westmeath was outstanding. Even close to the final whistle, they were so efficient in their shot selection, that's the sign of a well-tuned team. As a spectator, we all love watching close games as they are exciting but even though this wasn't close, Westmeath's ability to keep their standards high throughout was brilliant to watch. Q: Having played against Westmeath at the semi-final stage, did you think they would finish the job, or did you feel that Wexford would win it? A : I hate writing off other teams, I don't think it is right because anything can happen in 60 minutes of football but I did feel Westmeath would come out on top, simply down to their grit to get a win over the line. Throughout the year, even in games they may have not performed in, they got crucial goals against the run of play which saw them over the line. Q: Where did you think the Final was won and lost? A : Westmeath had a complete performance from their defence to attack. When that happens, it's hard for any team to counteract that. Wexford struggled to get to grips with the Westmeath full-forward line and perhaps if they were to do it all again, they may have gone for a slightly more defensive system to negate some of the scoring threat from those players. Q: Who were the stand-out performers on the day? A : I felt the entire Westmeath team, including the girls who came on, all played really well but the stand-out for me was Sarah Dillion, who deservingly won the Player of the Match Award. Lucy McCartan was excellent too, not just going forward but her work-rate was unbelievable and Fiona Claffey, who covered every blade of grass and was involved in everything. Wexford's Clara Donnelly showed resilience and never gave up also. Q: Having lost out in a nail-biting semi-final, what was it like sitting back and watching the Final without the direct involvement? A : To be completely honest, it was very tough to watch on this year as we were so close to making the Final. The entire day was a complete spectacle and watching on just makes you want to get back on the field training and working hard to try and be a part of that day in 2022. Q: How do you reflect back on Kildare's 2021 season, and how confident are you that the team can regroup ahead of the 2022 campaign? A : Reflecting on the year has been very positive. We just missed out on a TG4 All-Ireland Final spot in a close encounter with Westmeath and narrowly lost out to Laois in the Lidl National League Division 3 Final. We have built a great foundation so the key for us is all to stick together, get a good pre-season under our belt, and focus on getting over the line in 2022. Clockwise from Top Left: 1 Westmeath players celebrate. 2 Aoife Connolly, Westmeath. 3 The Mary Quinn Memorial Cup. 4 Grace Clifford, Kildare.