Cahir and Milltown on Quest for History

All roads lead to Parnell Park this coming Sunday (December 6^th) as Milltown of Westmeath head to the capital to contest the All-Ireland Intermediate club championship football final against Cahir of Tipperary.

For Milltown it is a massive occasion for the parish and indeed the county, being the first Westmeath club to reach an All-Ireland final since the 1990s, and despite the fact that the county team won the Intermediate All-Ireland final in 2011, captain Kelly Boyce Jordan thinks that being in a final with your club is that bit more special.

“It was a huge day when we won the All-Ireland in Croke Park with Westmeath and I will never forget it, but to be honest, this tops my All-Ireland for county and colleges.

“It might sound like a cliché, I know everyone says it’s a dream come true but it really is – winning an All-Ireland with your club is what you dream about when you’re growing up.

“It’s the first time the club has ever been in an All-Ireland final so it’s a massive thing for our little parish at home and it’s nice to be representing the county in the All-Ireland this year – we’ll be given it our all.”

Indeed, Kelly will be following in the footsteps of her aunt Monica Jordan when she lines out in the final this Sunday, as Monica won the All-Ireland club championship in 2012 with Parnells, a game which was also played against Cahir of Tipperary.

“Monica actually played against the same team in the All-Ireland and they came out with the win there in 2012 so it’ll be great if I’ll be able to follow in her footsteps and win the All-Ireland this weekend and bring the cup home!

“We’re all focused on Sunday now, there’s big dedication in our team. It’s every single player coming together for one goal, we’re a family together, we play hard together and this Sunday will be about how we all come together as a team and hopefully perform.

“Personally, I will be thinking of my late Granddad on the day – I promised him the county and the Leinster titles, so an All-Ireland would be a big bonus!”

Meanwhile Cahir captain Anne Marie O’Gorman believes that their loss to Parnells in 2012 is something that will drive them to victory this Sunday.

“On that day in the dressing room in 2012 there was one thing we all knew for certain: we never want to feel like that again and that’s what’s been driving us forward.

“We have a fire burning in us now to win, we’re going to go out there on Sunday and give it 110% – we will bring trouble to that pitch.

“It’s hard to describe how much it means to us to be back in an All-Ireland. I was captain in 2012 as well and I feel like I’ve been given another chance – we all have. We’re not going to mess this chance up, we have one thing and one thing only on our minds, and that’s winning, and I really do think this could be our year.

“In 2012, we were constantly surprising ourselves, this year, we believe we deserve to be here. We have fantastic management and brilliant support and now it’s up to us to switch on and be focused.

“Everyone is such good friends, we want to win for each other. We’re confident and a bit anxious but we’re looking forward to it. One thing I can guarantee though is that there will be nothing left on that pitch on Sunday, we’re going to bring 110% and hopefully, have a cup joining us on the bus home.”

The Intermediate final kicks off in Parnell Park on Sunday at 1pm and will be followed by the senior final between Donaghmoyne and Mourneabbey at 2.45pm.