Graiguecullen aim to turn final appearances into triumph in quest to become Intermediate champions

Graiguecullen are gearing up for another crack at the Laois LGFA Intermediate County Final, determined to finally clinch the title and secure promotion to the Senior grade.

After several near-misses in previous years, the club will face St Brigid’s in Saturday’s decider, with the team hoping this year’s experience and squad depth can make the difference.

Lauren Walsh and Caoimhe Fitzpatrick spoke to the media at a press night on Friday at the LOETB Portlaoise Institute ahead of the big game.

“I think we're very hungry this year. We were very close last year, only two points in the end. I think we started very slowly last year and that was the killer for us. But this year we've been playing very well from the start. One thing we've been working on is not starting late in our games, so we have to be on it from the whistle. This year, we're very hungry for it and we have a point to prove,” Walsh said.

Fitzpatrick added that the disappointment of losing last year’s final still motivates them. 

“I think there were two points in it last year, so that's a county final behind us. So this year we're going into another county final and the feeling that we had last year, we don't want that again. I think this year we're going to push on; we've played them already,” she said.

Walsh highlighted the contribution of Graiguecullen’s younger players, noting how fresh legs and squad numbers have strengthened the team. 

“We've played Brigid’s already, we know what to expect. We've got a few younger girls who have come up that have made a massive difference for us this year. We've had numbers this year. Numbers this year, whereas in previous years we've struggled to fill a team. So I think that's been a big difference for us this year, fresh legs coming on as subs and stuff like that,” she said.

Looking ahead, Fitzpatrick acknowledged that Graiguecullen will have a target on their backs, having already beaten St Brigid’s in the championship. 

“No doubt they are gunning for us. St Joseph's beat us in the championship last year and we were gunning for them, so we know what to expect. We know they're going to want a good match, a dogfight, it's going to be a dogfight because everyone steps up on county final day,” she said.

Walsh also reflected on the changes both teams have gone through since their game in the group stage. 

“Also, they were missing some girls, just like we were missing some girls in that game. It was the early stages of it, too; things were still being put in place and the structure wasn't there. You could see that for both teams, we were just lucky on the day we showed up. We may have had a couple more matches behind us than they did so they're definitely going to be a different team on the day anyway,” she said.

On the fitness front, Walsh confirmed Graiguecullen are at full strength for the first time in years. 

“No, we're full on, which is probably the first time in the last couple of years. Last year, we didn't have everyone. The only game we had everyone last year was the day of the final. Every game, we were missing players. At the start of this year, we were missing a couple of girls for the first two or three games, but in the last two or three games, we've had everyone. There are no injuries, thankfully and the girls are doing really well,” she said.

Both players admitted that not getting to play this year’s final in Laois Hire O'Moore Park is a minor disappointment, but insisted it will not affect their focus. 

“We're all raging because you want to get up the steps and lift a cup. We won't be able to do that this year, but hopefully, we will still lift a cup,” Fitzpatrick said.

“I do think it is a bit of a dampener because everyone loves going to watch the men play in O’Moore Park and the buzz of it all. But at the end of the day, it's still a final, we still have to go out and win it. We can't let that get in our heads just because it's not where we want it to be,” Walsh added.

Graiguecullen have never played a Senior Championship game, and both players said promotion would be a huge achievement. 

“It would just be something else. It means so much to everyone. It's been a long time coming; we've been so close for so many years. We've been in about eight finals. We know what it feels like to lose and we're just sick of it at this stage,” Fitzpatrick said.

“Something does feel different this year. I don't know what it is, if it's the numbers. Some of the younger girls coming up, they're so confident, they're so good. They really try so hard at training. I think that is making a massive difference,” Walsh said.

“Even the number of years we're all playing together now. You know what the person's going to do beside you and you can trust them. I think it's a long time coming anyway, this year,” they added.

Walsh, who was part of the Laois Ladies panel this season that reached the All-Ireland final, said her inter-county experience has helped not only herself but also younger squad members. 

“I've learned a lot. I played a small part; I didn't play a whole lot. Especially coming up to the All-Ireland and stuff, but I definitely learned a lot. I've found being in with Laois just puts different perspectives on things. It's good being able to go back and bring that back to the girls. Other girls on the team have been in with the county. A few of the minors, like Kathlyn (Timmons) and Mia (Branagan), and then Hannah (Kerfah) and Ashlee (Smith), were with the 16s. We also have Mags McEvoy, who played previously, a few years ago, with Laois. So we do have a lot of girls who have been in with the county over the year. I think that makes a massive difference. Everyone has brought different things to the team this year. Especially a few of the younger girls, they've been brilliant as well. So it's made a massive difference in their confidence. Especially Mia and Kathlyn, Mia has been flying it for us this year, and all she sees are goals. Now I know, on the day that might be different because they're going to try to stop that. But girls like that, at such a young age coming up, you can see the confidence that the county has given them, so it’ll make a massive difference for us,” Walsh ended.

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