The overwhelming refusal to be beaten even when the odds were working against them, has lifted Galway to this novel decider against Kerry, according to experienced player Charlotte Cooney.
The Claregalway woman believes that the hunger that exists within the squad gave them the belief that anything is possible, even when they faced strong fightbacks from Cork and Dublin in the last two games.
“Cork had already beaten us twice this year, in the League and in the round game. So like, they were going to be tough, but a lot of us have been around a long time, and we just want to win this so much.
“We'll do anything to get across the line. And again, it's the group, it's the team effort. And there are so many girls that took a man marking role in that game even if that took away from their own games, but they sacrifice that for the team. And that's what got us across the line," she said.
But she is wary of the opponents on Sunday.
"Kerry so strong, it’s their third final in a row. And so they're definitely gonna be hungry. But all we can do is focus on ourselves, our own performance. And, we have had two really tough games to prepare, but in a final anything can happen on the day.
“We just need to make sure the minute we cross that line that we give it everything. We have shown that when the pressure comes down, that we can stand up and perform and we have shown that form against Dublin.
"Against Dublin, our bench was the difference. Like, they were unbelievable when they came on, and they brought us to the line and, you know, that's down to all the gametime Dan gave players throughout the league.
“It’s not about just the first 15. It's about the group and it's about the team and the whole panel and that's what gets you across the line.
Injuries
Charlotte has sore memories of the build-up to previous finals, but that will not lessen the intensity as they prepare for Sunday.
“There's always a fear of getting injured so close to things, as happened to me in 2019 when I got injured a week before the final and it was a very tough, difficult experience.
“I think with sport anyday you go to training or playing the game, there's always a chance to get injured. So you just kind of have to go for it’
“ You can’t hold back at training because if you hold back at training, you're gonna hold back on matchday. But we are a great group and players will mind themselves with recovery, nutrition and doing everything they can to get themselves right.
“When we train we train hard, and I think that's why we've got where we are today; in an All-Ireland final because our training is extremely competitive. And we all push each other and when Dan names the team one to fifteen, we know those girls have earned the jersey.
Does the 2019 injury make Charlotte appreciate the game even more?
“It definitely does, I suppose, you know, you think when you're younger, oh, sure, we have next year again, and the years fly by. And, I'm at the end of my career, and every day you put on the jersey, you're just very grateful for it. You just can't take it for granted, because you just don't know what's around the corner."
Does she reflect on her evolution and role in the team over the seasons, in terms of influencing the younger players?
“I wouldn’t be a big talker in the dressing room. I train hard. And hopefully people can look up to that, and the work that I put in was, and it's been a journey.
“When I was first in the panel, I was fortunate to be in the dressing room with some unbelievable players who you would have looked up to through the years and they've gone on to win all Irelands and are unbelievable footballers.
“The dressing room is in a better place because they raised standards and you're just trying to do the same thing, raising standards all the time and you know, when we leave that, hopefully we leave the dressingroom in a better place too."
Potential
“The league obviously didn't go the way we wanted it to go. We unfortunately got relegated but, the defeats were narrow. If you zoom into them, you'll see that we played some really good football and we lost only, at the end of the games by a point or so.
“Girls got loads of game time. And, you know, we went away, worked extremely hard coming into the Connacht Final and thankfully we beat Mayo. We all still didn't perform to potential. And then, against Dublin and Cork we got wins, but I still think there's more in us and hopefully we can show that now against Kerry.
She is chilled about the final and noise around it.
“The noise only matters if you let the noise in. It’s important to be calm and collected and at the end of the day, it’s just another game of football. There’s a job to be done and we just need to go out and bring a performance.
“I think we probably are underdogs going into the game, and it might suit as well. But, like, huge respect to Kerry are a great side, and there's some great players, we will just focus on ourselves. And we know that we have the belief within us that we can win.
"There's a really strong culture and, you know, it's so enjoyable to go and train. And it's a great bond. And, you know, once we stick to the process, and bring the performance and the work rate that we know, we can get the right result."
Charlotte welcomes the integration talks aimed at bringing equality of infrastructure and opportunity to all the Gaelic games.
“I suppose my partner's involved in senior intercounty football, and, you know, I see what he and his team-mates get. Integration is all about bringing the game to a better place. It is important we get small wins every year to make it a bit better, not just for the girls playing now, but those playing in the future."
She said she is looking forward to working to encourage more girls to play the games when her playing career is over.
"When girls get to 16, there is such a drop off in people playing. And I would love to give back to my club when I finish my playing career. Sport is great, you want to win games and all that. But the best thing about playing sports is always the people that you meet and the friendships that you have. And, you know, I'm so fortunate and lucky to be involved in great teams."
Let's hope this particular great team puts on a show this Sunday.
