Hanney expecting a 'hell for leather' battle in decider

Eoghan Cormican

IT’S a CV, built up over the past 12 months, that reads like no other. Captaining Killimor to county and All Ireland Club success, not to mention an All Star award at left half forward. Little wonder then, that Brenda Hanney will be expected to lead the Galway charge in this weekend’s intriguing All Ireland showdown with old nemesis Wexford.

Taking a seat in the dressing room at Kenny Park, Hanney is in buoyant form. Just one hour away from All Ireland glory, the towering stickwoman is delighted to be back in the final, but certainly not content to play the role of bridesmaids this time around.

A year on from their defeat at the hands of Wexford and the optimism and expectation surrounding the team has resurfaced, more than justified given their recent form. After their tame league final effort, not many expected the Galway camogie side to be up to much this year.  

But not alone did they scorch Wexford in their subsequent championship meeting; they overcame a much fancied Kilkenny side to put themselves within reach of capturing the elusive O’Duffy Cup. 

“It has been a busy year so far. Killimor was fairytale stuff and a great start to the year, but that was all forgotten then once we got back into the county. We had a new challenge, that day was done. We’d been concentrating hard on getting back to the All Ireland final, now we’re there and we’re very happy to be there.

“These days they’re hard come by. We’re just delighted to be in it and if we can cap it off now. We’ve a lot of hard work done, just get there, put the performance in that we know we’re capable off and the result will look after itself.”

Hanney, who tasted All-Ireland Junior and Intermediate success with Galway in 2003 and ‘04, believes Killimor’s victory at Croke Park back in March won’t have any bearing on Sunday.“I suppose the girls that have been up in Croke Park went up and did a job that day and it will be good for us. I think the county team though has its own identity,

“I don’t think anyone here is thinking about Killimor too much. I know going up to Croke Park the next day that I have it in my head that I know I’m able to go out and perform in Croke Park. It won’t be a big thing for me and I know it will be the same for the rest of the Killimor girls. Every other girl has plenty of experience at the venue, it’s not an issue. It’s going and doing a job.”

A job they failed to complete on their last two September outings in the Capital. On both occasions, Galway supporters were left frustrated with the side’s attacking shortcomings. Just one score from play in the 2008 final was followed by a mere three last year, but Hanney points out that it is an aspect of their game they have worked relentlessly on to correct.

For more, see this week's Connacht Tribune.