Liberty Insurance All Ireland Senior semi-final
Galway v Kilkenny, The Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, tomorrow 4.00pm,
GALWAY CAPTAIN, LORRAINE Ryan says that there is no extra pressure on the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland senior camogie champions to deliver this year.
There has been no mention of a two-in-a-row, or the need to get a quick second title to prove that 2013 was no flash in the pan.
Or indeed, to ensure that there isn’t another 17-year drought such as that experienced from when Imelda Hobbins became the first Galway woman to be presented with the O’Duffy Cup in 1996 to Ryan getting her hands on the trophy last season.
The psychology of these things demands that you remain in the present, viewing each campaign and indeed, each game, in isolation.
“I don’t think there’s anyone saying two-in-a-row” laughs Ryan. “We’ve never heard it mentioned in the camp so far. It’s definitely taken in isolation. This is a new year.
“The only thing that you would take from last year is that it can be done whereas we didn’t have that in previous years. We fell short several (five) times in All-Ireland finals which left that bit of doubt in us.
“So if anything, the monkey is off the back. That’s what you take from last year. We know this group of players can go and win it if we perform and if we believe enough in ourselves.
“But it’s a new year, new season and a new semi-final again.”
Familiar opposition though. Kilkenny were Galway’s victims in last year’s final. They have recovered well, winning the league and coming through the group phase with an unblemished record.
“We know they’re a very impressive outfit and it’s going to be down to the wire. But we’ll try not to think about the opposition too much, just ourselves. If we can perform at our best, the rest will look after itself.”
Meanwhile, Ryan has been kept busy this week preparing for a new job at Coláiste Bhaile Chláir in Claregalway, having subbed there in February. It has helped keep the mind occupied but more than that, it has probably made her future in the Galway jersey that little bit more secure.
“It was pot luck really. I had said when I came out of college that I would be happy just to be able to stay in Ireland, so to be able to get a permanent job that’s in the county is great.”
