Past setbacks help Killimor to forge a winning mentality
Date Published: {J}
Eoghan Cormican
KILLIMOR captain Brenda Hanney believes the strong bond within the panel, forged by past disappointments, has played a key role in bringing the side to within one hour of All-Ireland glory.
After successive County semi-final defeats in 2007 and ’08, Killimor finally reached the decider in 2009 only to be denied by Athenry. That said, Hanney insists it is the bad rather than the good days which have been the making of this team.
“We’ve learned a lot in the last couple of years.
We’ve gone the hard way to get out of Galway, but finally last year we’ve got that little stroke of luck,” says Hanney.
“We’ve been through so much, up and down, in the last few years and that’s what brings teams together. A very strong bond has formed. There is a sole focus in the whole group. Everyone wants the exact same thing. We’re lucky we have that team bond and please god it will stand to us.”
Despite experiencing the pain and hurt of All-Ireland defeat on her last visit to the capital, Hanney is relishing a return to Croke Park.
“In Croke Park last year (we) didn’t get the result that we had wanted that day so hopefully we can right that wrong next Sunday when we go there with the club. It’s very special honour for the club to be there.”
“ The All-Ireland series is very new to this team but I don’t think we’ll be phased too much by it (Croke Park). Hard work creates that little bit of luck so we’re just hoping to have enough to see us through next week,” adds the centre forward.
An All-Ireland junior and intermediate medal winner in 2004 and ’05, Hanney affirms that coming out on top in tight scraps such as the county semi-final has fostered a winning mentality which was very much evident at Duggan Park a month ago.
“The Athenry game and the Mullagh game stood to us against Oulart. It’s all a learning curve and hopefully we can build on it again. We’ve put ourselves in a very nice position heading up to headquarters next Sunday.”
In any event, Hanney is under no illusions as to the joust in store. “It’s an All-Ireland final. They’re precious for one reason and they’re hard to win. Cork teams have this never say die attitude.”
For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.