O’Sullivan ‘blessed’ to be a back-to-back All-Ireland winning captain
A SECOND trip up the steps of the Hogan Stand to collect the Brendan Martin Cup was something that Mourneabbey’s Ciara O’Sullivan could have only imaged up to last Sunday however the talented number eight got to experience that feeling after her side held of Dublin to win their sixth All Ireland title in a row.
“It was an unbelievable feeling. I wasn’t as nervous in this final as I was last year. This time I had the experience from last year to rely on. Coming into the game as Captain for the first time I found it quite difficult because there is extra pressure on you but in this team there are so many leaders that it makes it easier. I am blessed to have been able to experience this as captain on one occasion never mind twice in a row.”
Days of celebration in both Dublin and then Cork have followed the win for a team that were well worth the win after a slow start to proceedings on Sunday.
“Dublin really put it up to us and made it difficult. We knew they would but the first half was really tough. There were some strong words from some of the senior players in the dressing room at half time but we all knew what had to be done. We all knew what was required and luckily for us we were able to pull it out in the second. The weather hurt the game earlier on but fortunately for all when it dried up it made for a better game. Our ball handling in that first half was much worse than Dublin’s so we cannot really blame the weather too much. It was mainly nerves I think.”
Ciara may have been responsible for driving her entire county side forward but she was still well able to appreciate the contribution of younger sister Doireann who popped up with an immensely important contribution.
“Doireann has had a tough few years with injury, no more than in this year with back trouble and knee trouble, she is like an old women for someone who is only 21 but to be fair her shooting has always been really good and thankfully she got to show that again for us today.”
Ciara was happy with the way her side were able to play down the clock on Sunday, something she feels is really only possible in the women’s game.
“We were able to play a bit of keep ball late on which is one of the advantages in ladies football. You have the clock there so at that late stage you often don’t need a score but just possession. Fortunately for us we could see it tick down which was great. We were disappointed to give away a penalty late on but thankfully it didn’t cost us in the end.”
While O’Sullivan was clearly delighted with the result she spare a thought for the vanquished side. “You would have to feel for Dublin. Three All Ireland Final losses in a row, a point in two and two points in one, that is not easy and you would have to feel for them but they will be back again next year. They are a great side. They showed that today and all through the year and quality like that doesn’t go over night.”
While clearly all the hard work to win an All-Ireland final is done on the pitch O’Sullivan was keen to thank all those in the stands that cheered her side on.
“We are really grateful to all those supporters that made the trip. All those that supported us here and from home. We have great support all the time which seems to be getting bigger and bigger. It also makes the victory all the more sweeter when you have that crowd there.”