Rossa camógie manager Danny Quinn has praised his team’s ‘determination and willingness’ ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland Senior Club Camogie Championship semi-final against Killimor at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe (throw-in 3pm).
It’s a difficult assignment for the West Belfast girls who must take on the Galway champions in their own backyard.
Furthermore the Connaught camógs have proven pedigree having lifted the All-Ireland Senior title in 2011 and reached the semi-final last year.
“They are a good team and they know what it takes to win the All-Ireland and to get through this stage of the competition,” said Quinn who is assisted by Mickey Johnston.
“They are a young side but we also have plenty of talent. Obviously there will be a certain amount of nerves but once the sliotar is thrown in the nerves will go.
“We hope the girls do what we ask them to do. They have so far and have shown great determination and willingness along the way.”
Inevitably Rossa will look to the class of Jane Adams for scores while Grainne Connolly and Teresa McGowan provide added experience. Captain Muirin Quinn, the McCall sisters, Orla and Aisling, and Natalie McGuinness are influential members of the panel.
Having scooped the Antrim Senior crown with victory over Portglenone and the Ulster title against Derry’s Slaughtneil in October, the camógs have been preparing studiously for this weekend’s examination.
The extreme winter weather conditions haven’t helped their build up, but Quinn believes his charges will hit the ground running on Sunday afternoon.
“It’s been a long wait for us since winning the Ulster Championship in October,” admitted the Rossa manager.
“We’ve had a few challenge games but with the weather it has been difficult even finding adequate training facilities. “We’ve regrouped our forces and are looking forward to throw-in.”
Wexford outfit Oulart The Ballagh take on Munster champions Milford (Cork) at Oulart The Ballagh in the other semi-final while Galway’s Castlegar face Ballycran at Duggan Park in the Intermediate semi-final in the curtain-raiser to Rossa’s clash (1pm).
