IF YOU’VE EVER been to Croke Park on All-Ireland ladies football finals day, you’ll know how the closing few minutes of each match play out.
The atmosphere is nothing short of electric, the volume through the roof. There’s a sea of colour around the ground with young and old waving their county flags tirelessly as the clock runs down.
There’s usually very little between the sides score-wise in the closing exchanges — particularly in the senior edition. Fine, fine margins. Just a single point at either end usually settles it.
That wasn’t necessarily the case on the third Sunday of September in 2017 though as the minutes ran down towards the full-time whistle and that renowned hooter. Dublin and Mayo had played out a thrilling and finely balanced decider until the final eight minutes, but two key goals from Sarah McCaffrey and another from the boot of Carla Rowe quickly settled matters.
Of course the atmosphere was still electric, the volume through the roof and the sea of colour in full flow, but it was predominantly blue and fueled by Dublin voices.
With just 60 seconds remaining, the anticipation for the hooter grew and grew. Dublin fans young and old were about to do it — to count down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 for their All-Ireland heroes. And they’d do so happily after three years of heartbreak at the final hurdle.
Others were left disappointed as they flooded for the exits.
One of such was Eimear Scally. A rising star on the famous Cork ladies team for quite some time now, it was the first year of her five on the panel that she wasn’t togging out for the All-Ireland senior final.
Instead, she was there as a spectator with her friend Anna Galvin, who plays alongside her in University of Limerick (UL) and also plies her trade with Kerry. An early exit was on the cards.
“We left I’d say with about a minute to go,” she tells The42.
“We were both kind of like, ‘Ok, let’s get out of here’. I didn’t want to hear that final whistle. It was weird. I’ll never take those days for granted now, you know.”
Just three weeks earlier, Cork’s bid for their 12th All-Ireland senior title in 13 years was ended by Mayo in Breffni Park. Up to that point, they had had a mixed year. Ephie Fitzgerald’s charges were crowned Lidl Ladies National League Division 1 champions in May, albeit by the narrowest of margins, but then a tough Munster championship ensued.
They lost two consecutive provincial championship games to Waterford and Kerry, meaning it was the first time in 15 years that Cork wouldn’t contest the Dairygold Cup.
After that came serious questions that needed answering, along with comments from critics.
“We had such a disappointing Munster championship,” Scally continues, the pain almost heard through her voice.
“We had to sit back and were like, ‘Look, we had the same team as the league. We won that. There’s no reason why we should be doing this bad.’ We picked it up alright in the All-Ireland championship a bit, but we didn’t play well in the semi-final (defeat to Mayo).
“We played ok in patches but we were outplayed as well. I’ll never make up too many excuses for losing a game, I’ll never take it away from the team that beat us. That’s just unfair. Mayo deserved to win that game, no doubt about it. But it was disappointing.”
Interestingly, the Eire Óg sharpshooter’s first championship start didn’t come until 2017. It was like she had been around for years but this was the first time that she fully broke the starting 15 week after week.
“It’s mad,” she grins as she’s reminded. “I didn’t even realise. Obviously I’d take being a sub and winning an All-Ireland any day though.”
‘Scally’ was a name that had been floating around ladies football circles long before last year. Still a minor, she scored a goal from the bench in the 2014 All-Ireland senior final as her side beat Dublin, and starred through the ranks at underage level.
But then came a bout of glandular fever, diagnosed in November 2015, and a premature return which left her sidelined for even longer.
“I just knew I had it,” she recalls. “My sister had it before and I kind of had the same symptoms. My throat was like a rock like. It wasn’t normal tonsillitis or anything.
“I went back for a couple of league games, played up until the league final with Cork. I just wasn’t myself. There was 10 minutes I had in me and after that, my body just shut down.
“After the league final I just had to explain to the girls that I wasn’t able to stay, my body was extremely weak. I don’t think I went back in until the end of July and at that, I still wasn’t right.
“I’d say I had it definitely a year, a year and two months maybe. It was tough. It’s just annoying watching the girls play away. You know when the girls are like, ‘How long more are you out for?’ and I’m just like, ‘I don’t know. I just have to wait until I’m better’.
“It was annoying but sure look. These things happen. There’s worse things in life at the same time.”
Her maturity and sensibility shines through, as she accepts the illness for what it was but doesn’t exaggerate it by any means like others may.
“I was half lucky that way that I wasn’t bed bound the whole time,” she continues.
“I could get up and meet up with friends for a coffee or whatever. I wasn’t able to go out. I obviously wasn’t going to do the maggot on it and go out drinking. I wasn’t taking advantage of it at all like.
“I suppose if I went out for more than a couple of hours, just strolling around or something, I was so tired that evening. Exercise was the big thing. I could do something for five or 10 minutes and then I was just dust.
“I was looking forward to giving it a good bash and to make my place on that senior team. It didn’t happen so look, it was just annoying.”
As she said herself, the 21-year-old linked back into the Cork set-up for the remainder of the 2016 season upon her full return to action.
And in that one-point All-Ireland final win over Dublin, Scally graced the Croke Park turf from the bench in the 43rd minute, well and truly putting the glandular fever nightmare to bed. 2017 would be her year, or so she thought.
We know how it finished up in the Cork jersey, but in the earlier stages, there was another hurdle or two along the way to clear.
In March, she found herself in an unusual situation. She was lining out in the O’Connor Cup final in a UL jersey but opponents came in the form of University College Cork (UCC), where she had studied and played some ball the previous year.
The Limerick outfit were victorious on the day, but not without some drama and Scally at the centre of it all. In the 47th minute, she stood up to the mark to take a penalty after she was was taken down herself on a powerful, driving run.
There was a whiff of controversy surrounding the award of the goal as confusion reigned and there was much debate as to whether the ball had gone through the net or wide. The flag was waved though as UL’s pursuit for a third O’Connor Cup in four seasons continued.
https://www.facebook.com/LadiesHEC/videos/796794640473033/
It’s put to her almost a year later as UL’s representative at the announcement of Gourmet Food Parlour as the new sponsor of the Higher Education Committee (HEC) third-level championships
“It was wide!” she grins, half laughing as she echoes what people have said to her over and over since that day in McHale Park. “That’ll be on my tombstone like; quote: it was wide.”
She may be grinning now, but that wasn’t always the way, particularly not in the direct aftermath.
“It was tough going to training the Wednesday after,” she says.
“I think there was something like 12 or 13 Cork players on the UCC team and then there was just me. I was half nervous and the UL girls were like, ‘Jesus, I don’t know if you’ll come back alive’ and all this.
“Look, we had a joke or two about it and we moved on. I wasn’t going to be bringing it up and I wasn’t in a position to be. I suppose when you go out on the pitch, you go out and you don’t have friends on the pitch.
“That’s what my Dad always says. Anyone you’re playing against, you’re not friends on the pitch for that 60 minutes and it’s fine. It’s always the way with other players. I didn’t think about it too much. Obviously, it was a bit tough.”
It’s all fine now though, she assures me as she gears up for Cork’s 2018 opener against Kerry later today.
Last year is in the past now, there’s a sense radiating from Scally that 2018 is definitely going to be the year of redemption. Fitzgerald is still at the helm, with his right-hand man James Masters leading the training sessions.
18-time All-Ireland dual champion Rena Buckley has not yet made her decision clear on which code — or both — she’ll opt for, but Scally acknowledges that they were without both herself and Briege Corkery last year and it’ll just be an added bonus if they return.
“There’s nothing too different,” she adds.
“The only thing I could say is that there’s a bit more professionalism. We’re doing a lot of strength and conditioning at the moment and getting proper meals after training.
“There’s nothing major. You don’t want to change much like.
“My father would be annoying me like, ‘Who’s in, who’s out?’ and I’m like, ‘I actually don’t know. I’m going to have to wait and see until our first league game and see who’s on the sheet before the game’. We’ll see how we get on then.
“We’re not going to touch on it (last year) too much. We have to drive on and add that for fuel on our flight.”
And that first league game, that first challenge of the new year comes in the form of a tough test away to the Kingdom this afternoon.
It’s actually a repeat of their 2017 opener, where Cork ran out big winners against their Munster rivals on a scoreline of 5-17 to 1-11.
“That will be a good old game,” she smiles. “Hopefully we can start off with a win. It gives the confidence a major boost. That’s what we’re hoping for.”
It’s early days yet but Scally — and the Cork set-up in general — have their eyes already firmly fixed on a return to Croke Park after a year-long hiatus.
Thanks to an announcement by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) that there will be eight double headers throughout the league, their chance comes sooner than expected this year.
They have 10 February circled on the calendar for a fiery date with reigning All-Ireland champions Dublin at GAA HQ and it’s one Scally is clearly relishing. Finally back where she wants to be.
“That was a huge boost,” she concludes, when asked about the curtain raisers.
“There’s something every year now in fairness with the ladies football, it’s really moving on more. Girls feel a bit more valued.
“Going to Croke Park now, were absolutely delighted like. It’s so nice to be going to Croke Park and it’s not All-Ireland day. It’s kind of annoying that way that the only chance you get to play in Croke Park is All-Ireland final day, and that’s not the case for a lot of girls.
“To be able to just play a league game there is brilliant, you know!”
The countdown is on for that long-awaited return. As she said herself, she’ll never take those days for granted now.
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‘Win at any cost’ is their motto
no respect for nz rugby snymore
why should Ireland teams respect haka and then endure dangerous play. zebo tackle was disgusting
Completely agree with you. Cynical, win at all cost, dangerous and under it all terrified to loose. The back lash at home would be worse than the English tabloids treat their football team. They’re given so much respect to perform a ceremonial dance which culturally is about belief in yourself, your roots, a challenge to battle etc etc.. Yada yada yada
Are they’re elders happy with how this NZ team have developed a culture of perfecting how to cheat a way to a win?
The rules are their to keep the game fair and safe. The punishments for repeatedly breaking the rules don’t affect them as they’ve perfected the best way to cheat.
I went to the game today and was left with a real bitter taste. Admittedly we messed some chances but it was the NZ cynical play was so disappointing. I
Coach u9s and I would not want them playing like the apparent best team in the world. That’s the worst part. Their discipline was atrocious and not something to be idealised. Lost all respect for NZ rugby it’s a crock, I’d rather have been hammered by England today then sit through that.
That will be why they win so much Id say
I’m sorry but they didn’t directly cheat. They played hard, loose and as always a touch over the line in terms of the laws of rugby. But they won, and that’s the goal. If Ireland had done the same you wouldn’t be moaning.
They win, that’s what they do. Win at all costs is the very minimum they expect. Would you rather they didn’t tackle in case it was high and lost with ‘pride’? Ridiculous comments
Ah come on Brian, don’t be so sour. We lost to a superior team who played the game better. So much of rugby is about playing to the limit of the rules and a little bit beyond. They did it perfectly today.
@colm casey . you are dim . 5 times this morning at u9 rugby they were stopped and coached on high tackles. get the point read Neil francis http://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/autumn-internationals/neil-francis-a-resounding-win-for-cynicism-35229487.html
@Colm casey. do not comment on rugby. New Zealand’s Sam Cane and Malakai Fekitoa cited following win over Ireland – Independent.ie http://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/international-rugby/new-zealands-sam-cane-and-malakai-fekitoa-cited-following-win-over-ireland-35230867.html
Em. Yes. The most cynical game I’ve ever seen the All Blacks play…ever.
You don’t watch them much so
Fair play to Claire McNamara. Right question. Hansen cornered.
Surprised she kept at him as she did so fair play. Said what everyone was thinking, very disappointed in NZ. One or two mistakes is understandable, consistent dangerous tackles is not and it shouldn’t be acceptable. Not the reason we lost though but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored.
The problem is not so much that they won dirty tonight (which they clearly did): the problem is they are playing by a different rulebook. Even the dirtiest Bok or English teams never had this sense of entitlement and obvious preferential treatment. Had – say – France or Argentina played the way the ABs played tonight, they would have gotten something like 5 yellows and 2 reds.
That’s the way top level sport goes. Teams that win consistently can win in any circumstances. They can play the champagne stuff and go the cynical route when needs be. All blacks don’t have to apologise to anyone.
Maybe. Not the game I’ve been involved in for 30 years. Are you telling me that’s where we’re at? If we are then I’m out.
They threw everything at the irish like any wounded team would. Did we expect them to play it on our terms ? Thought irish performance was brave considering the injuries
Didn’t expect them to play on our terms no but I wasn’t expecting a team as respected as NZ to play so dirty either.. Like Ireland didn’t deserve the win they made too many errors at crucial moments and didnt take their chances but NZ are a class team that shouldn’t have to resort to reckless play to win a game, endangering other players
All the great teams in every sport flirt with the laws of the games. Kerry or dublin in gaelic football. The ref may have been poor but Ireland had their chances and didn’t take them. Nz did !
I know full well they did and that’s what I pointed to above but the same time they should be penalized for breaking the rules when broken.. I follow GAA myself and I’m all for a bit of bending of the rules here and there but not when they did it so much.. They took their chances because they make them for themselves and are well able but being the best team in the world is no excuse for recklessness
So bend the rules a little ? Comments on here about nz are embarrassing. If the ref doesn’t penalise you why would you change. When he did penalise them Ireland couldn’t break them down. It sounds like sour grapes. I think Ireland showed courage when nz had momentum and if you are a kiwi you have to be proud of the intensity they brought.
I’m not meaning to knock down Ireland or NZ… Ireland played well under the circumstances and NZ were a brick wall when it came to defence but they were indisciplined in fairness and I completely agree with you on the fact that if you’re not penalized why would you change but the ref should have been a tiny bit more strict
Exactly but if you were in the nz dressing as a player after the game you wouldn’t care less. All you would be thinking is we put those irish boys back in their box and we left our mark in more ways than one. It’s just nice to see that the majority of the irish lads were not found wanting. I think kearney needs to accept his race is run and retire gracefully.
I suppose yeah they came out all guns blazing… Yeah he does.. I don’t want him to go out like Rog did
Thats like saying Trump flirted with his hands
Bottom line you play the ref
Exactly Chris. Both of the so called controversial tries were brilliantly taken. Ireland had some great territory to score tries and didn’t and twice against 14 men only scored 6 points. Ref was poor but you play to the whistle.
You can only play the ref if you feel he will leave you away with the same cynical and dangerous play !!!
Lost what little respect I had left for nz this evening when we had a strong ref and a tmo that wasn’t clueless we beat them well two weeks ago unfortunately we had neither today
Claire McNamara was embarrassing
No one should bow down to them. Their not gods. If tough questions need to be asked ask them. She did a great job
What a bunch of moaning whinging yokes ye are!! NZ did wat we knew they would. They defended like demons and took what few chances they got. We are very good but we have no blinding pace like they have we have no support runners for off the shoulder off loads like they do and we have no killer instinct and natural skill at crucial times like they do. The ref didnt beat us ffs, the better team did
Agree completely about us not having anything to complain about being beaten. But that’s no reason to excuse consistently dangerous play. We can accept defeat but also point out serious concerns with some of the play from NZ, they’re not mutually exclusive as you seem to want them to be.
Read’s thousand yard stare in the riel before kick off said it all. They knew what this ref would let go.
Riel- in the tunnel I meant
There was nothing in the Henshaw clash at all, but the Zebo shot was awful and I suspect there were a whole lot of neck rolls they didn’t get pinged for
They are also all juiced to the gills.
Embarrassing shower of moaning Mary’s on here. The better team on the day won. Deal with it
18 penalties in two matches with two different ref’s. Most occurred in the red zone. Not dirty Steve. Cynical is a better discription.