St Finbarr's one win away from All-Ireland camogie final at Croke Park

Saturday is one of the biggest days ever for the St Finbarr’s senior camogie team.

They head to Meath to take on Loughgiel Shamrocks from Antrim in the AIB All-Ireland club championship semi-final, throw-in 2pm.

It’s unknown waters for the Barrs as they have never been in an All-Ireland semi-final before, coming on the back of their first-ever Munster championship title a week ago.

This is a team packed full of talented players and one thing is for sure, it won’t be for lack of effort if they don’t reach the decider at Croke Park. But as well as stars on the pitch they have others on the sideline who are involved in helping the team and one of them is Gemma O’Connor.

A star of the game and a legend of the Barrs she it back now helping out this side as they bid to add the All-Ireland title to their Cork and Munster crowns.

It’s the type of game Gemma relished playing in and said they are looking forward to what they know will be a tough challenge.

“Being in a club All-Ireland semi-final is such an achievement in itself,” said Gemma. “I don't think people ever thought that they could do it. I suppose if you ask people at the start of the year that you would make a Munster final and win it and then into an All-Ireland semi-final, you'd be over the moon.

“I think probably the difference in this team compared to maybe the last couple of years was getting over the county final last year. It was kind of the big stepping stone and then it was kind of like the world was their oyster.

CHARACTER

“Then after that they got over the line again this year and they have shown fierce grit and resilience all this year. Like if you even if you look at the Newcastle West game (Munster semi-final), to go to extra extra time and come out on top that shows massive character.

“It’s a testament to the team and to the management to do it again against a very aggressive, strong De La Salle team in the Munster final.

“It will be another tough battle against an Ulster side tomorrow. We know they are a physically strong team and I suppose just about getting the match-ups right. They'll be doing the same with us no doubt.

“But you got to relish it, these girls are so looking forward to tomorrow. As I said, imagine being told at the start of the season you would be in an All-Ireland club semi-final, you’d be loving it. 

They are giving it everything, they're proving their work and they're there on merit, which is probably the most important thing.”

Last Saturday they came from 1-3 to no score down to win the Munster title, with Kate Wall leading by example, along with the likes of Sorcha McCartan, Meabh Cahalane, Aoife O’Neill and Keeva McCarthy.

It’s another massive challenge for the Togher side tomorrow and they will need another all-round team performance like the Cork and Munster finals if they are to reach Croker on December 14.