Ballinagh take their winning feeling into Ulster

By Michael McMullan

AFTER three instalments of disappointment, persistence has been the magic word for Ballinagh.

They now face into Saturday’s Ulster Junior B final with Tullysaran and captain Aisling Smith paints the picture.

Originally, there was to be a semi-final meeting with Donegal champions Carndonagh. They have since stepped down to the Bridie McMenamin Shield, leaving Ballinagh with a direct shot at Ulster.

It will be a busy weekend with a handful of their dual players in Ulster football action with Cornafean 24 hours later.

It’s just the latest chapter on the need for proper joined up thinking that integration should bring to the table when it pulls up a seat.

On the camogie front, Ballinagh have won all their competitive games on the way to a league and championship double in Cavan.

“This year was our fourth intermediate final in a row, so we just had to get over that hurdle,” Smith said.

“We lost to Kill in the first year, then we lost to Crosserlough twice.

“Last year, we got three or four younger girls to actually play with us. They were straight up from underage and had won so much on the way up.

“I think we were nearly putting pressure on ourselves, that we had these young ones and we were going to win, but it didn’t happen.”

After a year of adult camogie, it gave their younger players a better handle on what the top level.

“They also got a taste of what is that like to lose like, us older ones knew what it was like,” Smith added.

“I think we were all just on the same page that we just had to work hard this year to actually get over the line.

“It was those young girls coming up, the others hanging on. I think the team just actually clicked this year and we had new management, it’s brilliant.”

Balance

There was a balance with the duals players. Their training night never clashed. It allowed them to balance their load.

It’s a special group to be part of, a mixture of ages after a spell of being reliant on a core of players.

“We went for years that would have no girls coming, like a really big gap with no underage really coming through,” Smithsaid.

“Two years ago, we got five or six girls and they all on the starting team.

“They’ve had really good training from underage. This year we’ve Lucy Fitzpatrick and Dervla McShane.

“They’re massive, you would not think that they’re underage players like they just slot in like they’ve been playing for years.

“Now we have such a good underage structure, it wasn’t there years ago, so we are missing out on an age bracket.”

After the years of hurt, Smith has noticed the difference their success has made in the local community.

“That’s what has been so good,” she said. “Even people who you wouldn’t realize had any interest in camogie.

“Now, it just feels like everyone around the town is wishing you luck or congratulating you about the last game.

“I don’t think we’re hyping it up too much at training, withing the team. We’re just trying to get our job done.”