Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1466433
INTERVIEW 26 | SPRING 2022 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie "I was on placement in first semester so I was coming into it in January and I didn't know most of the girls," said Morrissey. "But we just gelled together so quickly. Even the O'Connor Cup weekend, it was the first real chance we had to bond together and it was such a good weekend, we all just got on so well. "But it's nice to have that, playing a different style of football to what you are used to and being able to express yourself on the pitch. "And even though you are playing against some of the girls at county level, we all got on so well so when we were out on the pitch and we were working towards the common goal, we weren't really thinking about the rivalries between us." UL came into the Yoplait O'Connor Cup weekend knowing that they were the team to beat but there were strong opponents waiting for them, and the likes of DCU Dóchas Éireann were shaping up nicely. The Dublin University boasted the likes of Meath's Emma Duggan, and the Dublin duo of Jennifer Dunne and Niamh Hetherton. However, DCU Dóchas Éireann were knocked out by UCC in the semi-finals, while UL got the better of NUIG in the other final four tie. Then, backed by a strong breeze in the first half, UL took a 0-10 to 0-4 lead at half-time in the final. UCC came with a late onslaught but UL defence held strong and they managed to secure another Yoplait O'Connor Cup. "In the media and stuff DCU were the favourites so we didn't mind going in as underdogs, it kind of took that pressure off us," said Morrissey. "We did well in the final to hold out for the win. It was very close there in the last few minutes but we did well." "AND EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE PLAYING AGAINST SOME OF THE GIRLS AT COUNTY LEVEL, WE ALL GOT ON SO WELL SO WHEN WE WERE OUT ON THE PITCH AND WE WERE WORKING TOWARDS THE COMMON GOAL, WE WEREN'T REALLY THINKING ABOUT THE RIVALRIES BETWEEN US." Clockwise from left: Ailish Morrissey of Kilkerrin-Clonberne in action against Maire O'Callaghan of Mourneabbey during the 2021 currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Ladies Senior Club Football Championship Final 2. Ailish Morrissey, left, and Mairéad Seoighe of Galway celebrate after the TG4 Ladies Football All-Ireland Championship Group 4 Round 1 match between Galway and Kerry 3. Ailish Morrissey of Kilkerrin-Clonberne in action against Aoife Burns of Donaghmoyne during the 2021 currentaccount.ie LGFA All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Semi-Final