First-ever Laois LGFA County Final for many as St Brigid’s prepare for Graiguecullen clash

St Brigid’s are preparing for Saturday’s LOETB Laois LGFA Intermediate Championship final, aiming to secure an immediate return to the Senior grade after last year’s relegation.

Ahead of the big game, Lauren Walsh and Caoimhe Fitzpatrick spoke to the media at Friday evening’s press briefing 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, so we feel that if we get back up to senior, 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 secured their semi-final win against Ballyfin last Thursday evening, and Phelan admitted the game was somewhat chaotic, but she’s relieved her side came through.

“It was a bit all over the place, to be honest and 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.

Earlier in the championship, St Brigid’s faced Graiguecullen, suffering a six-point defeat, but Simms is confident the team has regrouped.

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

Simms also reflected on her comeback from an ACL injury sustained in 2021.

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

Both Phelan and Simms highlighted what could be decisive in the final, with Phelan stressing the importance of focus and executing their game plan.

“I think we've worked a lot on ourselves the last few matches and got more into our own game plan and our own passing. I think if we can win our own kickouts, it is more important and if we can overturn their kickouts, then as well, we can kind of drive on from there. I think 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.

For many of the players, this will be their first county final.

“It's just been a good buzz the last few weeks. Obviously, 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 our 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.

Manager Chris Maguire commented on the final being held at Annanough rather than the county ground, feeling the venue could suit his team.

“I've only just got news of that there now and it's always good luck 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 ended.

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