The Saints are determined to make an immediate return to the senior ranks

ST BRIGID’S will compete in this weekend’s LOETB Laois LGFA Intermediate Championship final, looking to make an immediate return to the senior grade after relegation in 2024.

Lauren Walsh and Caoimhe Fitzpatrick spoke to the media on Friday evening at the LOETB Portlaoise Institute.

“It would be great to get back up. We're very young. Our team the last year or two has been very young. All the younger girls have come on a lot and have become an essential part of the team. Having had the chance in intermediate at a lower level and we'd be delighted to get back up and have another go at senior when we're a bit more established and more of a team now,” Phelan said.

St Brigid’s only came through their semi-final against Ballyfin last Thursday evening and Phelan admitted that it was a bit of a mad game, but is thankful her side got over the line.

“It was a bit all over the place, to be honest. When I think back about it, I'm still a bit in shock when the ref said we were only about a point up, but I suppose we just got over the line, that's all that matters really. We just kept it out for the last ball; there was a free and we just worked together and got it out and that was the main thing. I don't really know how to describe it, to be honest,” Phelan said.

St Brigid’s already played Graiguecullen in this year’s championship, with the latter recording a big win.

“We were obviously missing a few and they probably were as well, but that was our first game of the year. We're after regrouping now and after getting a good few wins under our belt. We just want to drive on now and give it our all next Saturday,” Simms said.

It hasn’t been plain sailing for Simms as she suffered an ACL injury in 2021.

“It happened four years ago, it was tough; it was during Covid, so there were no gyms open, just tough going. Hopefully I can keep going now,” she said.

Both girls spoke about where they feel the game will be won or lost on Saturday. Phelan is hoping that her side doesn’t get ‘too overwhelmed by the occasion’.

“I think we've worked a lot on ourselves the last few matches and got more into our own game plan. I think if we can win our own kickouts, it is more important and if we can overturn their kickouts, then as well. We could drive on from there. Our own mistakes are what kill us and even last night as well, not playing to our full potential, so hopefully we don’t get too overwhelmed by the occasion and just play as good as we know we can,” they said.

This will be their first county final to play in as the club had been playing senior for many years.

“Winning the last three or four championship matches has been a good buzz and we're kind of building and building. We've never been in a county final before. It's a first county final for me anyway and it will be for a lot of girls as well, so it's a big achievement. We're delighted, we haven't even trained since the semi-final, so it'll be more exciting now, the next time, something to look forward to,” they said.

St Brigid’s manager Chris Maguire spoke about the final not being in the county ground, but feels that Annanough might suit his side better.

“I've only just got news of that there now and it's always good to get in there and get your feet on the grass there, but Annanough is a fine pitch as well. It's become quite popular over the last couple of years and for the amount of games that are played on it, it's held up pretty well. I think Annanough might actually suit us,” he said.