All roads lead to Leixlip this Sunday for the women of Bagenalstown.
A place in a Leinster Semi Final is up for grabs for Muinebheag this weekend as they face Kilcock in a Junior Camogie Championship draw on Sunday.
This is bonus territory for the Carlow side who have featured in five county finals in the last six years.
Although they were in complete control throughout their county final clash with Burren Rangers, their manager Mick Lillis admits they were relentless in their pursuit of scores.
“We didn’t have to do much coaching with them, to be honest. They had their own minds made up that it wasn’t going to slip this time”.
Their desire to place the ball between the posts was insatiable that day in early November. So too was their mindset.
“If we were 10 points up, we’d get 20 and if we’d go 20 points up, we’d get 30”.
The club has experienced unprecedented growth despite only being established in 2011.
“We’re absolutely delighted with the numbers we have. With the help of god, we’d be hoping to have a Senior and a Junior team going forward”.
As well as drawing in local girls, they have been fortunate enough to attract outside talent.
This influx of gifted athletes has also helped to raise the age profile of the team.
“A lot of those girls who transferred are 25 or 26 so it was great to get that experience in there as well”.
It truly is a labour of love for the former Carlow Senior Camogie Manager.
“I love it. Myself and some of the women around Bagenalstown were founding members of the camogie club in 2011”.
As a staunch Bagenalstown Gaels man, Mick was determined that girls wouldn’t be travelling outside the town to play camogie.
“We had girls probably aged 7 or 8 at the time so we sat down and founded the club and we’ve gone from strength to strength since then”.
Mhuinebeag is under no illusions of the challenge facing them this Sunday.
“They’re Intermediate Champions in Kildare and they are also Intermediate Football Champions so we know they can move as well as hurl but it will be all on the day and it will ultimately come down to who performs”.
The match throws in this Sunday, January 16th in Leixlip GAA Club, Co. Kildare at 13.30.
