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Dicksboro's Ciara Phelan. Harry Murphy/SPORTSFILE

'There was no pointing fingers' - Dicksboro's path to first-ever All-Ireland semi-final

Kilkenny All-Ireland winner Ciara Phelan is hoping to make more history with Dicksboro this year.

WHEN DICKSBORO WON their first-ever senior Kilkenny camogie title in 2019, the novelty factor was still fresh by the time they made their exit at the Leinster semi-final stage. 

Making the breakthrough in the top tier of the home competition was enough to mark their season down as one of great progress.

Two years later, they advanced to the provincial final only to be halted by experienced All-Ireland winners Oulart-The-Ballagh of Wexford. That Leinster decider was played in January 2022 due to the pandemic delaying the 2020 All-Ireland final to December 2021.

But, in any case, Dicksboro were defeated despite a spirited second-half rally in which they outscored their Wexford opponents by 3-4 to 0-6. Ciara Phelan, an All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny, recounts that day as one where inexperience derailed a young Dicksboro side.

They yearned for another chance in 2022, but Thomastown halted them in the county final. So, when it came to the 2023 season, they arranged a meeting with management to plot their path to redemption. So far, their efforts have yielded a first Leinster crown after dethroning the Dublin champions St Vincent’s, and an All-Ireland semi-final appearance this coming weekend.

“Some of the younger girls were 17, 18 at the time,” Phelan says looking back at their appearance in the 2021 Leinster final.

“Last year, we wanted to push on but we didn’t come get out of Kilkenny. This year, we sat down with management as a group and there was no pointing fingers. It was all, ‘what do we need to do as a group?’ Even looking back on the match against Oulart-The-Ballagh, we didn’t show up in the first half so we knew we’d need to put in a massive performance [against St Vincent's].

ciara-phelan Ciara Phelan in action for Kilkenny this year. Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO

“Being underdogs, we needed to push on. We’ve worked a lot on not giving up when we’re down. I know St Vincent’s were up by four points when they scored a goal and a point. I think we all took a deep breath and realised that it wasn’t over yet. The younger girls pushed us on.”

Like most GAA clubs, the Dicksboro camógs consist of sisters, cousins and local connections. The management team, spearheaded by Donal Carroll, contains three brothers and a cousin. Phelan has two sisters – Niamh and Emer – and they have cousins in the pack too. Age differences aside, the players and backroom staff have all watched each other grow up into players with big ambitions. 

“It sometimes feels like we’re a country team in the city with all the sisters and cousins playing together,” she explains. “The management team have daughters on the panel as well so it’s all very close and it’s nice to play with your best friends that you’ve grown up with. Growing up, I wouldn’t have played much with Niamh because of the age difference, and Emer as well.”

Dicksboro have already achieved history with their respective county and Leinster successes. But there are more milestones ahead for them to chase.

Antrim’s Loughgiel Shamrocks are their All-Ireland semi-final opponents this Saturday. Phelan watched them contest last year’s All-Ireland final at Croke Park where they were edged out by defending champions Sarsfields of Galway. She knows what’s waiting for her side when the teams collide at the weekend.

“I thought they were going to catch Sarsfields, they were unbelievable. They’re so quick and fast-paced. They have the experience of playing in an All-Ireland final, they’re going to be very tough and it’s going to be a massive challenge for us.

“There’s massive excitement with the kids and past players are sending us texts. We’re one club of hurling and camogie so it’s nice to have everyone backing us.”

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    Mute John Ó'Ríordán
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    Sep 17th 2011, 9:05 AM

    04:06 here in Canada. Come on Ireland!

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    Sep 17th 2011, 9:20 AM

    Silly Mask

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    Sep 17th 2011, 12:25 PM

    I like your mask

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    Mute Helen Lynch
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    Sep 17th 2011, 11:26 AM

    Just watched the whole thing in mute on a tiny screen in work and it was still fucking FANTASTIC

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    Mute Eoin Fogarty
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    Sep 17th 2011, 10:38 AM

    18.40 in tokyo , cmon Ireland

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    Mute Cork_Granny
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    Sep 17th 2011, 11:54 AM

    fantastic match and result….

    red arrow all you like but do WE HAVE TO PUT UP WITH GEORGE HOOK???????? god i can’t STAND that man. Talk about loving your own opinion…………. .. ok rant over LOL

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    Mute Martin De Milesian
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    Sep 17th 2011, 10:24 AM

    Kingston, Jamaica calling! It’s 4.23 here…COME ON IRELAND!

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    Mute Ando Winters
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    Sep 17th 2011, 11:26 AM

    well done to all involved

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    Mute briain
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    Sep 17th 2011, 11:26 AM

    The best 4AM start EVER :) Lets start from here!!

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    Mute Alice ORiordan
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    Sep 17th 2011, 9:50 AM

    Come on Ireland keep at it ..you can do this …Is Donal Lenihan the most mournful commentator you have ever heard..he is depressing me…Optimist Donal ..think positive ..you are upsetting me I have had to change channels …..
    Score for Ireland YES

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    Mute Alice ORiordan
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    Sep 17th 2011, 9:53 AM

    Drop goal for Sexton …imagine what OGara could do were he on the field!
    (Would you guess I am an OGara fan)

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    Mute Richard McNally 
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    Sep 17th 2011, 2:34 PM

    George Hook is an awful tool!

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    Mute Alex McDwyer
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    Sep 17th 2011, 12:04 PM

    Match commentary and panel much better on ITV can’t stick RTE any more

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    Mute Alex McDwyer
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    Sep 17th 2011, 11:16 AM

    wooooooooooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

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    Mute stephen corrigan
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    Sep 17th 2011, 1:04 PM

    God it could have been a real hammering if sexton got his game together, but at least we won Well done lads!!

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    Mute Aydo
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    Sep 17th 2011, 11:17 AM

    Whoop whoop whoop!!!!

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    Mute Alex McDwyer
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    Sep 17th 2011, 10:03 AM

    Ireland keeping Aus in the game with stupid penalties

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    Mute Donal Rafferty
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    Sep 17th 2011, 10:11 AM

    And by leaving Sexton on the pitch

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    Mute Alex McDwyer
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    Sep 17th 2011, 10:23 AM

    As much as it pains me to say it we need Sexton’s defense

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    Mute Craig Walters
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    Sep 17th 2011, 10:40 AM

    Orsome !!!!!!!!!!

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    Sep 17th 2011, 9:17 AM

    Ã

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    Sep 21st 2011, 10:26 PM

    Great reports. Really enjoying them

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    Sep 17th 2011, 10:48 AM

    "Neil and the lads …" – You’re dead to us!

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    Sep 20th 2011, 10:37 PM

    Rugby is a game of Inches, Clawing there way back to regain there lost respect from recent times, The squad representing these Four Proud Provinces, Rising like a phoenix from the ashes, throw Caution to the four winds Like the Four provinces, With every try we shall Rise like a swell in the Ocian to give strength to our brothers as they clash with the world. PS! Ask Hook what country dose he come from.

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