Caltra Cuans will take to the famous Croke Park turf on Saturday afternoon, aiming to be just the fifth ever Galway team to win an All-Ireland LGFA title at Intermediate level.
The East Galway women have jumped every hurdle they've met on the road to the final with class, and despite a titanic battle in Drogheda in the semi-final, they pulled the rabbit out of the hat and booked their slot in the Dublin 9 decider. It's certainly been a long road to get to this point, and when Caltra Cuans drew their Championship opener with Oughterard, few would have envisaged the journey they would undertake. With the pressure on in the second of their group games, Peter Birch's charges swashbuckled to a 4-13 to 1-4 away victory against Bearna na Forbacha.
In their final group game, they edged St. Fursey's 4-7 to 2-10 and qualified for the semi-final, where they were dominant against Naomh Anna, Leitir Móir, to reach the final with nine points to spare. The County Final in Headford was a nail-biter, with Emma Reaney's first-half goal doing enough to see off Tuam Cortoon by 1-13 to 0-13 and claim Caltra Cuans' first Intermediate crown in 14 years.
The Galway Intermediate Champions then faced a tough Connacht semi-final against Claremorris, where they were five points down after five minutes, and with three minutes to go, they trailed by two. But with the home support at their back, they kicked on, and Cara Mullins sent the two parishes wild, rattling the net and putting them a point up, before eventually running out 1-15 to 1-10 winners. A trip to Kiltoom and a date with St Barry's awaited. The now battle-hardened outfit rose to the challenge, stamping their authority on the Connacht Final, leading by 1-6 to 0-5 at the break. Two second-half goals from Ciara Murray put the game beyond doubt and crowned Caltra Cuans Connacht Intermediate Champions, to add to their county title.
A trip up the M6 and the satnav's set north of the capital for Drogheda was next on the agenda for Caltra Cuans. An All-Ireland semi-final with Louth side St.Fechin's, and the biggest test of character yet was in store. With the sides locked at eight points a piece deep into stoppage time, the hero of the Connacht Final, Ciara Murray, stepped up from 35 metres out with a free to send her side to the final.
But after the highest of highs in Drogheda, Caltra Cuans must knuckle down again and prepare for another trip East, but this time to Dublin City, a city where Irish sporting legends are made. A meeting with Cavan's Knockbride will be the ultimate test for these local heroes. Knockbride hammered Gowna in their county final. The Cavan champions were comfortable in Ulster, easing past Carryduff of Down, Donegal's Naomh Fhánada and Lisnaskea of Fermanagh in the semi-final. In the final, they recorded a 3-13 to 1-6 victory over Monaghan's St. Brigid's to set up an All-Ireland semi-final with Cork and Munster champions, Naomh Abán. Much like their final opponents, they required a late score from Ellie Young to edge into the decider by the narrowest of margins, 0-4 to 0-3. This one has all the signs of a hair-raiser.
Caltra Cuans won't be shy to Irish sports most iconic venue, however. Caltra Ahascragh's All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Final defeat last year will provide very relevant experience to those dual players. But as the cars from East Galway flock down the M6 once again, the stakes will be higher once more. With All-Ireland glory on the line, Caltra Cuans supporters will be hoping that their heroes can turn to legends on Saturday afternoon in Croke Park.
In the lead-up to the final, Caltra Cuans manager Peter Birch caught up with Galway Bay FM's Darren Kelly, to look ahead to the big day...
Caltra Cuans Captain, Denise Kelly, who has lifted two titles for her club already this year, and played in Caltra Ahascragh's All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Final defeat last year, also spoke to Darren Kelly ahead of the Knockbride decider at Croke Park...
Caltra Cuans player Laura Naughton spoke to Darren Kelly ahead of the All-Ireland Intermediate Final clash with Knockbride of Cavan. She spoke about her side's journey to the final and what it means to play in Croke Park with her club...
Darren also caught up with Caltra Cuans Chairperson Dan Keane ahead of a huge weekend for the club...
The game will be broadcast live on Galway Bay FM on 'Saturday Sport' starting at 1 pm with throw-in at 2...
