‘The opportunity of a lifetime’ for Downings' ladies as they aim for national final

Barney Curran has lost track of the number of times he has pinched himself in the last week as he prepares Na Dunaibh for a home LGFA All-Ireland Club JFC semi-final on home turf.  

The newly crowned Ulster champions, following their dramatic win over Warrenpoint after extra-time, now host Kildare champions Kilcock in Pairc Na nDhunaibh on Sunday (throw-in, 1pm).  

“It took a while for it to sink in that we had won the Ulster championship,” said Curran, who shares the management role with Doy McGroddy. 

“The girls celebrated on the Saturday after the final and again on the Sunday. But we were back training on Tuesday night and we trained again on the Thursday night. We also had two sessions last weekend on Saturday and again on Sunday. 

“We watched back the DVD of the Ulster final and we also managed to get a copy of Kilcock’s Leinster final win. They beat a Wexford club, Baile Dubh Tíre, in the final.  

“They look to be a good team. They won the final by three points 0-15 to 1-9. Grace White, at full forward, Sarah Lavin, Aisling O’Connor, and Emma Robinson, in the half-forward line, look to be good players. 

“Five of the six forwards scored in the final with Grace White kicking six points, all but one from play, and Sarah Lavin also posted three points.  

“All of those players will take watching with White, who looked especially dangerous in front of the posts. 

“But our girls are focussed and the home advantage is huge - we have to make that count. 

“Home is a huge advantage at any level but especially in an All-Ireland semi-final. We would be hoping for a slight breeze but not too much either.  

“One thing we learned from the game against Coleraine is that we are going to have to get off to a better start than we did against the Derry champions.  

“The further you go in the championship the stronger the opposition and the last thing you want to do is let the opposition build up a lead. 

“It happened against Coleraine and we just about got back but it was a close shave and we could have easily gone out that evening.  

“So a good start is a must on Sunday. We don’t want any more close shaves. It is a great opportunity to get to an All-Ireland final and we have got to make the most of it. The chance may never come around again.”  

Apart from the injured Aoibhinn O’Connell, Curran has otherwise reported a clean bill of health and a fully fit squad who are rearing to go. 

Talented midfielder O’Connell, who had been one of the main drivers of the team right through the Donegal championship and had turned in two big performances in Ulster, picked up an injury in the closing seconds of the semi-final win over Eoghan Rua. 

The DCU student missed the Ulster final win over Warrenpoint and is set to miss this weekend’s showdown with Kilcock.  

“Unfortunately Aoibhinn will not make it and is out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.  

“She is a huge loss to the team. But it is also a serious blow to Aoibhinn on a personal level because she eats and sleeps football. It is her life and she is totally dedicated to football. 

“But she will be part of the squad and she was front and centre as we went out for extra-time against Warrenpoint and I have no doubt she spurred the girls on. And I also have no doubt she will say a few words again on Sunday.  

“As I mentioned earlier, it is a great opportunity to get to an All-Ireland final. We have prepared well and my message to the girls before they go out will be a very simple one and one I picked up from the great American football coach Bill Belichick.  

“Just go out and do your job. And if everybody does that we will not be far away at the final whistle.”