Donard ready to defend title
No complacency in camp
IT has been quite the strange championship campaign for Donard-The Glen, even by 2020 standards. Initially managed by Damien Byrne, the Kildare native had to leave the role a number of weeks ago due to complications arising from the Thoroughbred County being put into a localised lockdown to combat an outbreak of Covid-19. In came Paul Switzer to assume the hot seat as the defending champions sought to retain their camogie crown.
‘I suppose it has been a funny year,’ admitted Switzer. ‘When you look at the year that has been, it has been funny regardless. I have come in and I am really just following the work that Damien was doing, so I just had to pick up where he left off.
‘I have known the team for a long time. I have been involved with all the age groups. I didn’t come in blind. I know most of these girls. I have trained them at some point in their camogie careers, so it wasn’t too hard to slot in.’
The championship that proceeded this dramatic turn of events didn’t last long before supplying this Donard-The Glen team with their first significant litmus test, used to gauge their status and prospects for holding onto their title.
That test came in the form of Knockananna on August 18. A closely fought encounter unfolded on that day, but it was Knockananna – who had their hopes of winning a fourth consecutive county championship in a row dashed by Donard-The Glen in 2019 – who emerged victorious on a 1-9 to 1-4 scoreline.
It represented a reality check for the reigning champions. They may have grown from being the hunters, to the hunted, but there was still work to be done on the training ground if they wanted to avoid falling from conquerors, to conquered.
‘You should never underestimate Knockananna. I don’t think we’d got enough done. I wouldn’t say there was any complacency there, but the girls were a bit off the pace coming into it. They hadn’t had a big build-up, so, therefore, they hadn’t played together an awful lot. It was a nice reminder, but never underestimate Knockananna. They will give you everything they’ve got in every game.
‘We certainly wouldn’t be sorry to be hunted. It is a slightly different level when you know you are being chased for everything.
‘You are the target for every team to beat. There is nothing wrong with that and the girls have been playing the game long enough to understand that. I don’t think it has upset them too much, but you are only as good as your last game.’
That ‘last game’ was far more reflective of what Donard expect of themselves since winning the county title last year.
Kelly O’Neill (2) and Sive Byrne were amongst the goals as the champs thrashed Glenealy 3-12 to 0-5.
Not only did that win book their date with Knockananna in the decider, but it is the level at which Donard-The Glen will need to play if they are to stay atop the mountain.