'Monkey on their back is well and truly gone now' Delaney
Camross manager Arian Delaney, although he might not be showing it here, found it hard to hide his delight and satisfaction after his side had been crowned Leinster champions Photo: Paul Dargan
VICTORIOUS Camross manager Arien Delaney was beaming with pride on Sunday afternoon as his side were crowned AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Camogie champions in Carlow.
Delaney referenced the 2019 Leinster final defeat to Offaly’s St Rynagh’s when they hammered Camross 4-20 to 0-4. He’s delighted to get that monkey off their back and win the club’s first provincial final since 2001.
“As I do say to the girls, super fantastic, it's brilliant. I suppose a lot of girls had a hardship in 2019 and it stung them, they didn't perform that day against St Rynagh’s. It's been a monkey on their back, it's well and truly gone now. The younger girls, the likes of Muireann (Bennett) and Erin (Walsh) and them coming up on the panel, they brought a massive energy to the group. It's brilliant, absolutely fantastic, great day,” he said.
This was Camross’ fourth game in as many weeks and Delaney says a lot of credit has to go to the S&C coach and the physio, who have done superbly well managing the players’ workload.
“It's week to week, so to be fair I have to credit Jordan (Donovan), he's doing S&C, he's been brilliant. We just cut back our time, didn't go too heavy on them, they were getting enough of contact at weekends, so it's really managing injuries and Alan has been brilliant, our physio, Alan Corby has been absolutely fantastic. It's about managing the load, don't give it to them too hard, keep the bodies right, make sure you get your nutrition and hydration right and focus on the next one,” Delaney said.
The Camross manager admitted it’s a team effort from the backs to the forwards and that the defending starts with the two corner-forwards and works back from there.
“We sort of have a mentality, we attack as a unit and we defend as a unit, so sometimes we give out, we'll say if the ball doesn't come out right, but it's not easy, but at the same time the girls, if you look at it everyone talks about our defence, that starts with Kirsten (Keenan) and starts with Erin (Walsh) up front, they pressure the ball, the ball doesn't come in where the opposition wants it to come in, then we have a chance, and it's only you have a chance then if the forwards are working and in fairness to the backs, they're like glue, so it's a combined effort I suppose,” he added.
At full-time, Delaney wasn’t aware of who Camross were playing next as all eyes were on Na Fianna. Next up for his side will be Galway’s Killimor, who were also crowned provincial champions on Sunday.
“To be honest with you, we only looked as far as today and maybe people think that's a cliché, it's far from it, you'd be very naive if you didn't, so I don't even know who we're hurling. But again, we'll enjoy tonight, we'll enjoy tomorrow, and we'll say onwards and upwards then,” Delaney ended.
