By Shaun Casey

FOR the second season in a row, Ulster champions Clann Éireann have been granted home advantage for their All-Ireland semi-final and full-back Clodagh McCambridge says her side are honoured to once again run out in Lurgan.

Last season, after claiming the Ulster crown for the first time in their history, the side welcomed Waterford’s Ballymacarbry to their home patch but lost out by eight points in the end.

This year, Gregory McGonigle’s side face a stiffer challenge, and they host Kilkerrin-Clonberne of Galway who are eyeing up their fourth All-Ireland title on the trot.

“I think last year I said it doesn’t come around too often, and now there’s two in a row,” laughed McCambridge. “It is a bit surreal to get the opportunity to play an All-Ireland semi-final at your home patch.

“It’s a big honour, and I know our club will have great support and great colour out on the day. It’ll make a real occasion of it for all those that will hopefully be there to support us. It’s really special.

“It’s our home. It’s where our community has grown up. It’s where all your friends and family have gone through, so it is really, really special. I suppose it’s probably for the younger ones as well.

“Those younger girls that will be coming, hopefully, and watching us. They’re going to be looking up to us, and hopefully aspiring to be in the same position, getting to play in an All-Ireland semi-final at home. It’s amazing for them as well.”

Clann Éireann, who defeated Cavan champions Lurgan in the Ulster final to complete back-to-back glories, need no reminder of the task they have at hand.

Home advantage is one thing, but it’s the All-Ireland champions that stand in their way of a first-ever final appearance.

“We’ll be going in as massive underdogs. They have high-calibre (players) all over the pitch, they’re so strong, really experienced, obviously, at this stage as well. It’s a massive challenge but one I know we’re all really looking forward to.

“What better opportunity than to bring the All-Ireland champions to your home ground to try and test them as much as we can. It’ll be a real challenge, but I know all the girls are really excited and looking forward to it.”

McCambridge admits that nerves and inexperience played their part last season when they crashed out at the semi-final stage, but now that Clann Éireann have solidified their place as they top team in the province, they can carry that momentum into the All-Ireland series.

“I think even going into the Ulster final this year, there were slightly less nerves,” added the Armagh captain. “It meant that we could just focus on the football. I hope it’ll be the same again this year.

“I think maybe we were a bit nervous to start last year against Ballymacarbury. We ended up just having to chase the game and their experience at that level shone through.

Now that we have that bit of extra experience under the belt, I’m hoping it’ll really stand to us,” McCambridge added.