Steering Ballincollig to Croke Park is a dream come true for Mike O'Brien
Ballincollig's Ailish Scanlon with Eglish's Emma Holmes in action. Picture: INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon
A native of Knockainey in Limerick, Mike O'Brien relocated in Ballincollig 25 years ago.
This Sunday, he leads the Village to Croke Park for the AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie final against Camross from Laois. It’s an exciting time for all sections of the club, the first team to reach Croker.
"Never in my wildest dreams would I every have imagined I would be involved in such a huge occasion. Having followed Limerick in good days and bad, and indeed the fortunes of Cork, when sitting in the stand in such a magnificent stadium it will be incredible to be patrolling the sideline."
He got involved with Ballincollig camogie when his daughter Niamh began playing with the underage section in 2015.
“I hurled with the club at home up to 2001 but travelling up and down just got too much.
He was previously a selector with the adult team in 2021-'22. In 2023, following a few tough seasons at senior they regraded to intermediate. Premier Intermediate was introduced by the board with Ballincollig placed at that tier.
"We really weren’t sure what to expect but did well reaching the quarter-final in our first year in the grade."
They have a good blend of youth and experience, from this year's Cork U16 captain Leah Hannigan to club captain Linda Dorgan and Leah Weste.
The return to the fold of former Cork minor Miriam Healy was a massive addition.
"Miriam Healy has been out of the country studying in Holland but is back home on placement. Her return was a huge boost to us at the start of the campaign, her presence at full back is huge."
O'Brien, who has former Cork U23 coach Danny Morrissey involved in the set-up, feels the veterans have been crucial to their run, which included a county final replay against Ballygarvan.
"Linda Dorgan is a superb athlete and a leader. She has two young children but she is a huge role model and a great example to all the younger players on the panel.
"Leah Weste is another of our more established players also a mother of two young children. She is totally committed as is Aoife Cotter another stalwart who leads by example.
"Last season, some of the older players were injured and carrying knocks but thank God this year they are all in great form. That is down in no small way to our S&C coach Dave Galvin.”
Looking ahead to Sunday, he knows it won’t be easy.
"Two of the best teams are there battling for the ultimate prize. We know Camross are a good side, they have a lot of inter-county players in their line-up but we are focused and ready for what they will throw at us.
"Hopefully we won’t be overawed by the occasion."
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