Winning all that matters for Diggin and her team mates
PATRICE Diggin has been the standout performer and top scorer for both club and county this season. She confirmed that, like all games she will be anxious going into this particular game, one which obviously is extra special.
While fully accepting that Kilmessan will provide formidable opposition this is an occasion to be savoured and enjoyed, and a contest given the squad’s season to date, they are fully capable of competing on equal terms, and hopefully getting over the line for what would be a historic success in Kerry’s sporting history.
“It was one of our better seasons (Kerry), we won the Munster Championship, beating Limerick, Waterford, and Cork, so that was a massive achievement for us this year. We expected the Waterford team (An Rinn) to be strong, we were kind of iffy with that draw, we knew it was going to be the tougher side in Munster, so, we knew if we got over that, we had a massive chance. It’s a bit tough, it is harder than playing in the summer, but, I think we have just built up such a good level (fitness) that we are able to sustain it.
“Kilmessan they got five goals in their semi final, we got three goals, and there’s no doubt about it, we beat Athleague, they scored eight scores, we only scored seven, but the goals were what won the match at the end of the day, so we have to take them when we get the chance the next day, because if we do take them, like we did the last day, we will have a massive chance of being winners at the final whistle.
“I probably get nervous for most games, I don’t see this as any different, all are important to me. I think this being a club one is special all right, because, they are the girls I have played with, since I started playing camogie. I don’t think there is any pressure on me or any of the girls the next day, we are the underdogs, so, that might stand to us in some way.
“They are very strong, their county is on a high, because they won the All Ireland Intermediate title beating Cork. So that’s going to feed back to their clubs, if they have inter-county girls playing with their club, which they have. They’re on a winning streak, so, they are going to carry that into the final, no doubt about that, so, we have to be ready.
“But, look, we are on a winning streak too at the moment, we have the Munster title behind us, so hopefully we can carry that in with us, and go all the way.
“You might never get this chance again, for everyone just give it their all, give it everything on the day, winning is all that matters to us, and we have to enjoy the occasion as well.”