NAOMH Muire midfielder Tara O’Donnell is enjoying the buzz as Ulster Final day approaches.
The 24-year-old has been a key component of the Naomh Muire ladies team in recent years, and she is making the most of their remarkable run through to the provincial decider.
“There is a great buzz around the club and the local area at the minute,” said O’Donnell.
“Everyone has been so supportive to us and are wishing us well.
“Even our neighbours in Gaoth Dobhair are backing us. Their boys are in the county final, and we are in the Ulster Final so there are a lot of green and white flags about.
There was a bit of soul searching done over the winter for Naomh Muire as they nursed the hurt of three county final defeats on the trot.
They made a conscious effort to put in more work this year and the old excuses didn’t cut the mustard this season.
They trained early in the morning during the summer, while since college started up, they have been out late on Friday evenings, so no stone has been left unturned during their 2019 campaign.
“We have all put in the commitment from day one this year.
“We all believed in ourselves and we knew we could do better.
“We have the players and we are well capable of playing in big games.
“We won the county final, and now we are through to the Ulster Final, and to be honest, I just can’t believe it.
“I have loved it so much and we have all got very close.
“We have had a great season so far. We were up in Dublin at the Mini 7s and down in Kerry at the Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta.
“It has been really enjoyable and hopefully we can have another memorable day this weekend.”
O’Donnell works with Údarás na Gaeltachta and she admits she never thought Naomh Muire would reach this level.
However now that they are there, the 24-year-old wants to make the most of the opportunity, and it will be a family affair, as she will be joined in the starting line-up by her younger sister, Ailbhe who is a lively corner-forward.
“No I never thought we would play in an Ulster Final.
“It’s so so good for the club. We are from such a small community and we have been playing together from such a young age.
“My younger sister Ailbhe is in the team too and it’s great to play along with her as well. She’s a great player.”