High achievers St Brigid’s happy with underdogs tag

The St Brigid’s team have exceeded even their own expectations by making the semi-finals of the Westmeath Senior Camogie Championship at the first time of asking, according to team manager David Gavigan.

After falling short in more finals than they could care to remember, St Brigid’s finally made it to the promised land when they defeated Brownston in last November’s junior championship decider and gained promotion into the senior ranks for the first time in the club’s history.

Many predicted that they would struggle to hold their own in the top flight, particularly when they were unable to field a team during the league due to low numbers.

However, new manager David Gavigan and his selectors Trevor Gonoud and Darren Kilcoyne rallied their troops, and while they have the smallest squad in the competition they have certainly not been found wanting in the white heat of battle winning all three of the matches they have played.

The only blot on their copy book this season occured when they were unable to field a team in their round robin tie against reigning champs Raharney.

Led by team captains, Lisa Cully and Shannon Lyons, the current squad of 20 players is a good mix of seasoned campaigners and younger players who are still cutting their teeth at adult grade. Most of the squad are dual players with either Corlastown-Kinnegad, Rochfortbridge and Tyrrellspass, clubs that have all made the latter stages of their own football championships.

In addition to the winning mentalities fostered at their football clubs, the Brigid’s players have also carried with them the confidence gained from last year’s championship winning season.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Gavigan says that everyone involved with the club are looking forward to their upcoming semi-final against Clonkill, which at the time of writing was scheduled to take place this Sunday October 2 in Joristown (11am).

“It’s the first time we have made it to a senior semi-final and there is a good bit of excitement. The lads’ team struggled this year and this is a nice little pick up for the club.”

Praising his predecessor Ger Gill and the committee members for their support, Gavigan knows that Brigid’s go into Sunday’s game as underdogs. It’s a tag that both he and his team are comfortable with, he says.

“Clonkill have a long legacy and we are undoubtedly the underdogs. We have a strong team bond. we are a close knit group and are honest in our work.

“We have been underdogs all year and don’t expect that to change. Clubs like Raharney and Clonkill have such a long tradition in senior.

“We are okay with that. Our team give 110 per cent and training and games and are never found wanting,” he said.