FOR THE FIRST time in the county\u2019s history, the Clare men\u2019s football team reached the All-Ireland quarter-finals this year.<\/p>\n
Indeed, they previously qualified for the All-Ireland semi-final as Munster champions in 1992 but this is the furthest the county has advanced since the introduction of the back-door system.<\/p>\n
The Banner\u2019s Niamh O\u2019Dea had two brothers (Cian and Jack) involved in that impressive run and she also played a pivotal role in steering the Clare ladies to an All-Ireland Intermediate final against Kildare this year.<\/p>\n
Later today, she\u2019s back on club duty as the Banner converge on Mallow to battle it out for a senior Munster title. Standing in their way, however, are Mourneabbey of Cork, who are seeking their third consecutive title.<\/p>\n
\nThe last game for 2016 in @MunsterLGFA is going to be a good one! Tomorrow in Mallow at 3pm @banner_ladies take on @MourneabbeyLFC pic.twitter.com\/wzAtxxgETH<\/p>\n
— Munster LGFA (@MunsterLGFA) November 4, 2016<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
It\u2019s a repeat of the 2014 provincial decider where the Clare side were defeated, and O\u2019Dea says they\u2019ve learned valuable lessons from that loss.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no getting around it,\u201d she told The42, <\/em>\u201cthey\u2019re a good team and they\u2019ve been in the last two All-Ireland finals. But, look, at the end of the day, we\u2019ll worry about our own game. If we can perform on the day there\u2019s nothing that can stop us. Obviously they\u2019ve a few key players to look out for but it all comes down to ourselves and how we play and how we can get the best performance out of ourselves.\n<\/p>\n
\nWe went up for long stretches of the last game but, typical Cork team, they never give up. Their strong players really performed that day. But if we focus on ourselves, we know they have key players but we know we\u2019ve a good panel and we\u2019re all a year older and a year wiser so hopefully that\u2019ll play into our hands.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\nThe Banner were crowned the Clare county champions for the sixth successive time earlier this year, and wins in the Munster B Championship against Southern Gaels (Kerry) and Ballymacarbry (Waterford) granted them the chance to atone for that loss two years ago.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Dea says that each fixture has brought more improvements to their game.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe year has gone good so far,\u201d she says, \u201cno complaints. The game against Southern Gaels was probably the most open we\u2019ve had in a long time, it really ebbed and flowed up and down. We\u2019d a lot of goals and a lot of scores. It was a good game to come out on top of because they were a good strong team.<\/p>\n
\nAdvertisement<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nWhat a great day for our seniors beating Ballymac 4-9 to 1-12 in the Munster B final. Well done girls. We are so proud @ClareFM @Clarelgfa pic.twitter.com\/GaKq7j3LLc<\/p>\n
— Banner Ladies (@banner_ladies) October 23, 2016<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201cAgainst Ballymacarbry, we\u2019ve played them a lot over the last six years and it\u2019s been back and forward all along. But they\u2019ve all been tough games and very different games. It was ideal preparation because in every single game there were different tactics and that,\u201d O\u2019Dea added.<\/p>\n
The UL student, who is currently doing a Masters in Sports Performance, turned 23 last week and a win today would be a birthday present worth waiting for. Her father, JJ, forms part of the Banner management team and her sister, Eva, would be lining out today but for an extensive injury she sustained while playing for Clare in their All-Ireland semi-final win over Tipperary.<\/p>\n
And with brothers Cian and Jack also playing for Clare, there\u2019s a good blend of rows and laughs whenever football is discussed in the O\u2019Dea household.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a good bit of banter. Eva got injured there and she\u2019d be a key player for us and the father is involved as well and he loves it. There\u2019s a bit\u00a0of everything but it\u2019s been all positive so far in the household. This is a big year for football in Clare, the men\u2019s and women\u2019s team did very well. There\u2019s a few rows but it\u2019s all good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cian and Jack even organised a supporters\u2019 bus to travel to Croke Park and support their sister in the All-Ireland final.<\/p>\n