Niamh Divilly enjoying Kilkerrin-Cloberne's drive for four All-Ireland's
Michael Bolton
History awaits for Galway side Kilkerrin-Clonberne, as they aim for a fourth All-Ireland title in a row this weekend, with Niamh Divilly key to their success.
Alongside her sisters Olivia and Siobhan, and their father Michael involved in managaement, the Divilly sisters are among the family involvements in the squad, with the Wards’ father Willie manager of the side.
Gerard Noone and John Boyle, who are part of the coaching team, also have daughters involved.
"There are sets of three sisters and couple of sets of two sisters. It makes the bond that bit stronger as it really is a family run team.", says Divilly.
“So, it is a real family ran team, and we do have that close connection. It is easy to know what the other person is going to do.”
Standing in their way in Croke Park on Saturday is Dublin champions Kilmacud Crokes, who Kilkerrin defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final last year.
Having needed extra-time to come out the right side of the semi-final, Divilly knows what they are capable of, as she says it was their toughest test on the road to another All-Ireland.
"That was the toughest game we had a in a long time.
"They pushed us right to the end. We expect no different on Saturday. They have that fight. They want to win as much as we do.
"They know they are right there and on the edge of an All-Ireland. They will really be pushing to get there."
Since Niamh has been part of this team, it has been constant success for Kilkerrin-Clonberne, but this was not always the case for the club.
Having lost the All-Ireland final in 2019, pushing on from this moment was seen as a key point which the Galway side never lloked back from.
"I think the hardest thing for the team was getting over the hurdle of getting the first All-Ireland. The girls had been banging on the door for so long, and to finally get that All=Ireland was the monkey off the back.
"Since then, we have just really pushed on and became better and better. That was probably the main moment for us.
"There was pressure having lost a few All-Ireland semi-finals and losing the All-Ireland final in 2019. The was a lot of pressure coming into the All-Ireland in 2021."