The ultimate goal for the Déise camogie team in 2021 is to reach Croke Park according to midfielder Shona Curran.
“This is a very ambitious panel and county. We all believe that we can compete at the highest level. Unfortunately, over the last couple of years, we haven’t got past that stumbling block that is the quarter finals. That’s a huge disappointment to every girl that’s involved in the panel. Everyone has the same ambition and the same belief that we are at that level and that on our day, we can compete with the top teams. It is disappointing that every year we’re sitting down at home watching the All Ireland semi finals and final. We want to be there on those days. Definitely, we have big ambitions for the year.”
The new management team, led by Derek Lyons, have yet to meet the players in person but the squad has a virtual check-in every week. With on-field activity pushed back until April, the players are focussing on their individual programmes. “It’s a bit of a mix, running and trying to keep up with the strength and conditioning side,” Curran explains. “That’s probably the toughest part because we’d be used to having gym facilities and having all your weights and that. I know myself, I’m trying to do it in the sitting room which is a strange one!”
