Ballycran girls out to create more history

The girls in black and amber head west on Sunday to play the long awaited All Ireland Intermediate Camogie Club semi final against Castlegar of Galway. With their first Ulster Club Championship title written into the club history the Ards girls are ready to face the best Castlegar has to throw at them. Goalkeeper Ciara McCarthy expects a tough game against the Galway Champions but is confident of success in Ballinasloe.

After defeating Eglish in the Ulster Intermediate Championship there were plenty of celebrations but Ciara and the squad were eager to get back in action. ‘ Celebrations lasted a couple days and thankfully Sean gave us a few weeks off because it had been a long campaign from February to October. Then it was back to training because the whole squad felt we could and would have to improve our individual and team performances if we wanted to continue living our dreams’ .

Ballycran celebrate after winning the Ulster Senior B Championship

With the tough recent winter it was going to be challenging to prepare appropriately for this weekend however Ciara paid tribute to their management team for making sure that the elements didn’t affect the Ballycran training plan. ‘Our management team really came up with the goods. Their sessions were really tough but they were well planned, very challenging and even fun. Initially we focused on stretch and conditioning sessions with Bill Nicholson who was amazing. He really has had a big impact on our fitness. Stephen McAree brought great variation to our stick and ball work sessions and combined with Sean’s tactics we feel we are really prepared for the toughest match in the club’s history. The management were really thorough and the girls have responded to their training.

With this being unchartered territory for Ballycran Camog’s Ciara and the rest of the squad have been delighted with the support of the local community . Everyone in the parish has been backing us between preparing food and drinks after training to the main fund raising event, with the Cow Pat and Fun Day. It was a great fun and proved very successful raising much needed funds for our overnight stay in Galway and everybody had a great time. Everyone from the primary school kids to our oldest club members has pitched in and the girls really appreciate it. It really is a very special time for everyone in the parish.

Ciara made her debut for Ballycran as a 15 year old and now fourteen years later she has seen many great players come and go and experienced many highs and lows along the way. With a mix of youth and experience along with many nights spent training Ciara believes the bond in the group is strong and they are hoping to make their parish proud.

‘I have experienced many highs and lows that is all part of sport. But to still be part of a team that includes girls that I first played with at U12 like Charlene Clarke, Emma Keith and Catherine McGourty it is just fantastic. From the youngest to the oldest in our squad we have really matured as players and girls. In fact I have seen so much of them recently if feels like we are a very close family now with the support of all our community. We are really determined to do our club, our county and province proud and claim a place in the final. Hopefully our hard work and planning will bring us through’

Ballycran have a clean bill of health for Sunday and are expecting a strong challenge from Castlegar and are focusing on their own game plan and rather than that of their Galway rivals. ‘ We don’t know a great deal about them but they are Galway Intermediate Champions we know that it takes a full squad to win a provincial championship. We expect a very tough and competitive contest in difficult soft conditions, but we believe we will win’

Throw in is 1.00pm at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe.