Good teams win one, great teams win two

Ulster Camogie caught up with O’Donovan Rossa players and management ahead of their All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final against Killimor of Galway and there was a great sense of belief and relaxation in the club as they go to regain a title they won in 2008.

Rossa manager Danny Quinn was joined by daughter and captain Muirinn, centre back Natalie McGuinness and full forward Grainne Connolly as some final preparations for the weekend were put in place. All gave the feeling this game can’t come quick enough and this has made the job of manager difficult for Danny. ‘The players are raring to go and chomping at the bit to play. There is a good blend in the squad of youth and experience in the squad and most have an All-Ireland medal but there are young girls there who are rapping at the door and have made it very difficult to pick the team’.

When Rossa defeated Drom & Inch in November 2008 they were regarded as a young squad and many of the players who played that day are only in their early twenties now with even more young players coming through to put pressure on young players which is fantastic according to captain Muirinn Quinn . ‘The balance of the squad is very good with experience from Grainne, Jane Adams and Theresa McGowan and great young players like wee Eimear Byrne who came on in the Ulster Final and scored a cracking goal and she is an example of all the young players who are keeping the rest of the squad on their toes’.

With the emergence of these young players the more experienced players have had to ensure that they must be fully prepared for this game and this is no more evident than in the form of 37 year old forward Grainne Connolly who is very pleased with her current form

‘I would say I am playing the best Camogie of my career in my opinion and coaches like John Crossey who have coached me my whole career have said they have never seen me so fit, I feel fitter and that my stick work is better than it’s ever been although I think everyone is the same boat. It’s a completely different atmosphere this year and the attitude is so good among the squad. It’s easier to play on a good team and we all know each other so well and I’ve even probably coached the majority of the players in the squad. We see each other more than we see our families and we have a very tight bond and we know each other inside out’.  

Natalie McGuiness was recently named as Gaelic Life Ulster Camogie Club Player of the Year and while honoured to be recognised feels that this award could have went to any Rossa player. ‘It was a confidence boost going into the game but it could have been anyone on the team and we have strength throughout the team. Individual awards are nice but and as long as we are successful as a team then that is the most important thing’.

The Rossa players have stressed the strength and unity of the squad that will hopefully see them make it through to another All-Ireland Final. The players haven’t needed to look outside of the squad when the have need an inspiration over the rough winter. When Rossa defeated Slaughtneil in the Ulster Club Final in October, Danny’s daughter Caoimhe was in hospital waiting to give birth. Four weeks later Caoimhe was back with the squad running hills in an effort to contribute to Rossa’s challenge. A new experience for Danny as a manager but a great one at that ‘shows the determination in the squad for to succeed and it’s a great example for the rest of the girls’.  Muirinn was a proud sister and teammate and when times have been tough a look over the shoulder towards Caoimhe has made the training more bearable. ‘ She gave birth the day of we defeated Slaughtneil in the Ulster Final and four weeks later she was running up hills with the rest of the team and she is back ready to go if called upon on Sunday. I couldn’t have done that and the team has supported her and when we think it’s tough we look at Caoimhe as an inspiration and it’s a great example for all girls who have had a child and continue to play on afterwards’.

With such confidence and determination in the squad Rossa are focusing on their own game rather than their opponents who have won the last three Galway titles. Grainne believes they are well placed to succeed. ‘ The mental preparation and mind-set has been improved dramatically, we’ve always been physically ready and our camogie has always been perfect but it’s the mental toughness and hope that makes the difference.’

Although only 22 Natalie is very relaxed ahead of Sunday and thanks must go to Danny and his backroom team of Mickey Johnson, John Crossey and Niall Grego ‘We are best prepared than we ever have in the last couple of years didn’t go as well as we expected but we are more determined and we can do the business on Sunday. The snow hampered our preparations a bit but we have battled through it and are fully motivated. It’s good that we have been through the experience of winning an All-Ireland and know what it takes to win it and we are more relaxed and less nervous as we have the work done’.

Danny and the girls are hoping they can cheer on Ballycran before their game in Ballinasloe as the Ard club play Castlegar at 1pm and wanted to pass on their best wishes to the Ulster Intermediate Champions. Rossa v Killimor throws in at 3pm

Danny signed off by outlining the Rossa motivation for success

Good teams win one, great teams win two