Naomh Abán ladies footballers bid for Munster intermediate glory

Naomh Abán will be hoping to add the Munster Intermediate title to their Cork crown as they take on Clounmacon Moyvane from Kerry in the decider at Mallow tomorrow, throw-in 1pm.

Having defeated Midleton in the Cork final, they went on to get the better of St Anne’s in the quarter-final and Moycarkey Borris, Tipperary, in the semi-final by 2-15 to 2-9.

They won both Cork and Munster junior championships several years ago, before losing out in the All-Ireland decider so they are no strangers to finals. They have plenty of talented players all over the pitch and are a side that never know when they are beaten.

Grace Murphy has been one of their key players across this time as she moves out around the middle of the pitch to pick up the ball and set up many of their attacks. She is also more than capable of getting vital scores of her own as well.

Sisters Amy and Lydia McDonagh will lead their forward line and will have gained from their experience of being involved in the Cork set-up over the last few years.

Manager of Naomh Abán, Noel McDonagh, said they are looking forward to Sunday and know they will be in for a tough challenge against the Kerry side.

“We are after a good campaign to date, and everyone is fit and well, and we have been down this path before, so it’s not strange to the girls,” said Noel.

We have come up a grade and it’s a bit more challenging and a bit more physical and teams are that bit fitter.

“But they are looking forward to the challenge, and it’s a great opportunity for them, and hopefully we will get over Sunday and we move on again.

“The last time we lost out in the junior All-Ireland final, and we all learned a lot from that year, which has stood to the girls since.”

This group of players have been together since they were teenagers and have almost grown up together, and have been on a football journey together that sees them joining the Cork senior ranks next season to pit themselves against the likes of Éire Óg and Aghada.

Every year you learn, and it’s like building a house, you put a block on top of a block and help them improve their skills.

“We did a bit more strength and conditioning work this year, and all these things help. In 2022, we had a few young girls come on the team, and we have a few more this year, and that’s what you are trying to do – build a panel.

BONDED

“On the other side, then we have managed to keep all the players together, which is great, and we've a good bond with the group now.”

Turning his thoughts to their opponents, Noel added: “You know when you get to games at this stage that all teams are good footballing sides. You are coming up against the cream of other counties, and they are a good side.

“They are going to be formidable opponents, and we won’t be taking them lightly, and we will have to bring out A game to have any chance of coming out on top,” concluded Noel.