St Cillian’s look to complete remarkable journey against Birr

By Kevin Egan

It’s incredible to think that just 12 months after Birr went into a county senior camogie final as the novice, inexperienced team up against Shinrone, that they would be seen as the mature and established team going into this year’s decider. But that’s exactly the lie of the land in advance of this Sunday’s game St Cillian’s at St Brendan’s Park (throw-in 3.30pm).

The journey that St Cillian’s (which covers the areas of Carrig, Riverstown and Ballingarry) have travelled is little short of remarkable.

At underage level they have become the eminent power in the county, reaching finals at nearly every age grade, and they come into this game on the back of a very impressive Leinster league, an agonising defeat to St Rynagh’s in a remarkable league decider, and then a wonderful championship run.

The two clubs didn’t meet in the championship and the league game between the two wasn’t what one would call reliable form, so Birr’s familiarity with this stage will be a significant asset.

But at a time when Offaly camogie is very much on the back foot, still struggling to rebuild to anywhere close to where the county was at a decade ago, St Cillian’s emergence is very encouraging.

Add in the local rivalry aspect, and there should be considerable interest in this game on Sunday.