YOUTH will be on the Down camogs’ side this season as they prepare to bounce back from a difficult year.
One of the joint captains, Clare McGilligan from Clonduff, told the Mourne Observer that they are approaching this season with great optimism despite their relegation to the Intermediate Championship.
The reason for that is the youthful look in the squad.
Clare said, “I think last year was a disappointing year from a results point of view. But a lot of players made their senior debut last year. Regardless of the results they got experience. That will help us going into this year.
“We go to play Limerick (in the first round) and we are not starting with five or six new girls who are making their senior debut.
“As tough as last year was, they were able to play at the highest level and get experience from that.”
Clare, who is joint captain alongside Beth Fitzpatrick, is referring to players such as last year’s goalkeeper Aoife Sherry, Emily Fitzpatrick, Grace Cunningham, Ellen Shields and Orla McCusker.
Clare is in her seventh year as a Down camog so the 27-year-old knows what it is like to come into the team, and is doing her best to make sure the newer players settle in.
“At the start I was quite young, coming into the panel.
“I never really played at the start. I was just coming on in games.”
Down camogs play Limerick on Saturday at 2pm in Clonduff.
In the full article Clare goes on to explain the impact that new manager Domhnall Nugent has has on the team.
