The Senior & Intermediate Ladies Football Championship Finals are down for decision on Saturday in Netwatch Cullen Park.
The Intermediate decider begins the day's action at 12 with Kildavin/Clonegal up against St Brigid's.
The Senior Final sees Bennekerry/Tinryland up against Old Leighlin at 2pm in what has become very much the norm for the best part of a decade.
Here we get a flavour of things from a player in each camp.
Nicole Hanley (Old Leighlin)
1. What does it mean to play in a county final?
It means a lot, it’s the day that we train all year for. I’m very proud of getting to play with this team and it’s always special for us to represent our club in a county final. Every final we play in means as much as the last.
2. What have team preparations been like?
They’ve been really good, we just focus on ourselves and a positive build up to the match.
3. How do you prepare personally?
I don’t really do much different, it’s just about making sure you look after yourself and make sure recovery is good in the build up.
4. Are you happy to see the games in Netwatch Cullen Park?
It’s really important to have the games in Netwatch Cullen Park, it's the biggest game of the year in the Carlow Ladies club calendar and deserves to be played on the biggest stage in Carlow.
5. What do you expect on the day from the opposition?
Bennekerry/Tinryland are always great opposition and I’ve no doubt it will be a great game. Both of us always push each other to be better.
6. Biggest influence within the club?
My whole team. When you see all the work put in by all the girls all year, for many years now, you just want to go out and do your best for the team.
7. Biggest Sporting Role model?
Stephen Cluxton
Liz Lowry (Bennekerry/Tinryland)
1. What does it mean to play in a county final?
In football terms it means everything to play in a county final. There has been a massive amount of effort put in from players and mentors to get to this point and nothing is taken for granted. We all know it’s a huge honour to put on a Bennekerry/Tinryland jersey and play in a county final.
2. What have team preparations been like?
Team preparations have been good, training has been going well and we’re all looking forward to a good battle on Saturday.
3. How do you prepare personally?
I think it’s important to prepare well physically by making sure I’m eating right and getting enough rest but I also think it’s important to prepare mentally and a lot of that comes down to just keeping a normal routine and not letting the pressure of the day take over.
4. Are you happy to see the games in Netwatch Cullen Park?
I’m delighted to see the games in Netwatch Cullen Park, the effort that all clubs go to to make it to a county final deserves to be recognised. I think getting to play in the local county grounds is recognition of that effort. In Carlow, it’s where we all want to play from when we first picked up a football.
5. What do you expect on the day from the opposition?
We’re very familiar foes at this stage, we always expect a tough battle when it comes to Old Leighlin and if our match in the second round of the championship this year is anything to go by then we’re guaranteed another good fight.
6. Biggest influence within the club?
Nuala Mohan has been phenomenal this year, her dedication to the club as a player, coach and committee member is just next level. Can’t forget Dee Tomlinson - she’s given everything to Bennekerry/Tinryland for many years now and this year is no different.
7. Biggest Sporting Role model?
If we’re keeping it local I’d have to go with my brother Niall, his commitment to Tinryland is unreal! It’s a while ago now but he was captain of an All Ireland winning school team and got to lift the trophy in the Hogan Stand, every players dream!
Chloe Smith (St Brigid's)
1. What does it mean to play in a county final?
It means everything when it comes to football. It’s what every team works for all year. It’s the end goal. They don’t come around too often so it’s important to appreciate the build up when they do.
2. What have team preparations been like?
Team preparations have been good. We done a lot of the physical work over the league and at the start of championship which means that we’ve really been able to focus on the football side of it now. The strength of our panel has created huge competition for positions, which is great.
3. How do you prepare personally?
I try to keep busy and stick to my normal routine. Plenty of walks, fresh air and chats with the girls.
4. Are you happy to see the games in Netwatch Cullen Park?
Of course. Albeit a little earlier than we would have hoped it’s tremendous to see Ladies finals at both adult and underage level being played in the county grounds. It’s the place for them. It’s a testament to the relationship between the Carlow LFGA and Carlow GAA, a relationship which we can only hope will grow into the future.
5. What do you expect on the day from the opposition?
I expect them to be prepared and up for the game. Kildavin/Clonegal, like ourselves are a growing club with huge ambition. I suspect that they’ll have their homework done and maybe try to take some of our stronger players out of the game.
6. Biggest influence within the club?
Without a doubt, Pamela Murphy. A working Mam of 3 and extremely experienced footballer, she always shows up (with the kids if needed), gives 100% and encourages everyone. She does a lot for our club, both on and off the pitch.
Aine Hickey (Kildavin/Clonegal)
1. What does it mean to play in a county final?
It's a massive achievement for our club! This is only our third year having a ladies team and our first year to play Intermediate so we are delighted to have reached the county final.
2. What have team preparations been like?
We have been enjoying the lead up to the final and the team has been training well. Our management have been very conscious of player welfare as we have a number of dual and underage players on our panel. Our u16s won their county final on Tuesday so we will be making sure those girls are fully fit to play again on Saturday.
3. How do you prepare personally?
I'm usually quite nervous before big matches so I like to keep myself as busy as I can!
4. Are you happy to see the games in Netwatch Cullen Park?
It's always a great opportunity to play in the county grounds. A lot of the girls on our panel have never played there before so it will be a great experience for them. It's great to be able to showcase the ladies game on the best pitch in the county.
5. What do you expect on the day from the opposition?
St.Brigid's are an excellent side and as last year's beaten finalists, we know they will be will be out for avengeance on Saturday. They were the only team to beat us in the Championship so we know it's going to be a tough match for us.
6. Biggest influence within the club?
Sarah Kirwan is our club secretary, an underage coach and a player. She works tirelessly for the better of the club and is always so positive on and off the pitch! She's a superwoman!!
7. Biggest Sporting Role model?
My sister Orlagh is a role model for all players, young and old, in our club. Even when she's playing county, she will always be down in Kildavin pitch either in the gym, training herself or training juveniles! I better mention Ed Byrne too. I don't know if I ever will catch up with his eleven senior county titles but a girl can dream 😂
We will have written match reports and interviews after the games.
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