It’s an unbelievable feeling, something you won’t forget: Swatragh captain Clíodhna Turner

By Michael McMullan

THE smile on Clíodhna Turner’s face said it all, almost as bright as the Martin Mulholland Cup glistening in her grasp.

After leading the Swatragh squad into the club’s hall on Sunday night, celebrating a second Derry Senior Camogie Championship in three years, there was an unmissable pride in her voice.

“It was unbelievable, just seeing the whole community there, it’s a feeling you can’t describe,” she told Gaelic Life.

“It’s just the feeling that you crave. You don’t realise until you’ve won one, it’s an unbelievable feeling, something you won’t forget.”

Earlier in the day, Swatragh saw off Bellaghy in a pulsating final in front of a packed Emmet Park in Sleacht Néill.

The Tones started brightly before Swatragh hit the net from Mary Therese McCullagh.

Swatragh defended well and had the accuracy of Emma Quinn, who landed 11 points in a 1-15 to 0-11 win.

“It was intense,” Turner said of the final. “The Swatragh crowd were loud and the Bellaghy crowd were the same.

“The supporters, they’re so close to the pitch whenever they’re in the stands in Sleacht Néill.

“It was very intense but it was great atmosphere and it was great for camogie. I don’t think I’ve ever been at a county final where there’s been as many people as there was today.”

At their homecoming, manager Michael Conway paid tribute to his squad who completed their 121st training session on the Friday before the final.

That doesn’t include the efforts at underage in a club steeped in an historic past.

It was Bellaghy who stopped Swatragh’s bid for a 20th successive title in the 1993 semi-final.

In more recent times, they have been churning out successful underage teams and have had players on various school and county teams that have tasted the winning feeling.

“From U6, right up, it’s a thing that you have to work with in the club,” Turner said of their progress.

“You have to develop all your players right up from underage, and it’s serious commitment, it takes serious years.

“It’s something that every club does and something every club needs to do, if they’re wanting to stand here in October with the Championship cup.”

Inner drive

Conway drove his side hard and they responded. As Sunday’s final ticked into the second half and Bellaghy were back on level terms, Swatragh again pulled into the winning position.

“At every training, you don’t know what you’re going to turn up to, whenever you get to the pitch,” Turner said of Swatragh’s preparations.

“His (Conway) trainings have been fantastic. He’s come in before, when we’ve had other managers, just for an odd training here and there.

“They’ve always been the hardest trainings of my life. It was brilliant to have him for a full year; he just pushes you physically and mentally.

“He wants the best for you. He has definitely got the best out of us.”

Turner was also full of praise for her teammate and saw it is “an honour” to have been made captain two years ago.

“It’s such a hard thing to describe because I’m so proud of every single girl,” she said.

“Any single one of them could have been representing us today as captain, and it’s just such an honour to be here.”

Swatragh don’t have much time to bask on their latest chapter in an esteemed history.

They host Clonduff (Saturday 1pm) who were winners in Down on Saturday. Antrim champions Dunloy await the winner in November’s Ulster final.

“It’s a quick turnaround, so we’ll enjoy tonight,” she summed up. “We’ll be back at it tomorrow, focusing on the next game against Clonduff,

“It’s a great privilege, to be playing on our own pitch. We hope all the supporters come out like they did this evening and like they did up in Sleacht Néill today.”