It’s second time round for Killimor’s camogie boss Tommy Callagy.
The man who was at the helm for the club’s All-Ireland senior camogie glory in 2011 returned in 2015 to guide the club to the cusp of yet another All-Ireland final appearance.
Galway success followed by a Connacht title has the westerners on the verge of booking a place in the All-Ireland final on the first weekend in March.
But first they face a huge test in the shape of a formidable Loughgiel Shamrocks side, in Clones in the All-Ireland senior club semi-final.
Ahead of Sunday’s (2pm) game we spoke to Callagy about doing things differently second time around, the change in club camogie and the biggest sacrifices made by players to get the club to within 60 minutes of another All-Ireland decider.
What’s motivating the team having already won an All-Ireland final?
“We won it in 2011 and we got back to another final then in 2013 when we lost to Milford. We’ve lost a few county semi-finals since but when we won the county again this year, we though, ‘We’re so close to Croke Park, we have to drive on and try and get back to another final.’ It’s that simple really.”
Posted by Killimor Camogie on Monday, 30 November 2015
Why did you come back as manager for a second time?
“I saw the potential there to win another county title. A lot of girls were saying they were coming near retirement and they wanted to give it one more shot and I came on board.”
Is it hard to be a fresh voice second time around?
“We have new players and some older girls gone, but I got Liam Gordon in as trainer and it was a different approach. We wanted the girls to actually enjoy what they were doing and maybe we didn’t take it as serious. Every session was enjoyable.
“The girls are little bit more experienced and training was different. Four years ago we really concentrated on running and fitness but every session this year we had a ball in every session. Players simply enjoy it more.”
How important was the fact that just one girl in the squad was with Galway?
“Ann Marie Starr was the only girl in with county and then she got injured in August and, as captain, then her injury was great motivation for the girls to push on and hope that she would be fit if we made it back to a county final.”
How has camogie changed in the four years since you won in Croke Park?
“I think it has probably got very physical. There is a number of very good sides in Galway – Mullagh and Ardrahan – and we’re all at the same level. Girls now have to be in great shape, the days of just going out and having a cut at a game are over. You have to be in shape or you won’t get the result.”
What was The Toughest sacrifice for the club this season?
“I think when Emer Haverty and Anne Marie came in after injury for the county quarter-final, it was a massive boost. Both are county players and to lose them early in the championship was very tough but when they got back in, it was a huge lift in the dressing room.”
Describe the effort they put in to get back for the latter stages of the club championship?
“Emer suffered a bad injury and she missed five months’ training with us. But she did her own work, she was on the bike, she was swimming and did a power of work to get back. Ann-Marie helped her with a serious arm injury, and she’s a pin in her arm now, it’s pure dedication that has them back.”
What have you learned from all the near misses that could make the difference this Sunday?
“Well we have learned, painfully, that work-rate all over the pitch is crucial. If every player doesn’t work then you’re not going to get the result. We had 17 hooks and blocks in the first half of the county final against Ardrahan, even if conditions were poor. That’s what we need to bring forward into Sunday and to take into the game against Loughgiel who are a very very good team.”
Brought to you by AIB GAA, proudly backing Club & County. Follow AIB GAA on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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