PwC GPA Player of the Month for August in ladies’ football, Ailbhe Clancy of Leitrim, with her award at Eyre Square in Galway. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
Ailbhe Clancy knows the value and relevance of a significant victory at Croke Park.
Winning the All-Ireland Ladies Football Intermediate title illustrated Leitrim’s potential. Clancy vividly recalls Leitrim’s triumph at that level back in 2007. Inspiring the next generation is crucial. “Definitely, now you can reflect on that,” Clancy responds.
“In 2007, I was at Croke Park, I remember them when they won, coming home. I remember their celebrations, the homecoming, and seeing them outside the Croke Park Hotel.
“I remember those moments, hopefully it will instil dreams in young boys and girls that we have seen across Leitrim. They can know that they can do great things too.”
Immediately, the challenge for Leitrim is to develop further. “Exactly, you got it there, we have to build on this momentum, now,” Clancy says. “We can't just be 'we've won the Intermediate All-Ireland', because we really need to build on this, to progress at senior level. We want to go up to compete.
“There will be a big push from us to go up to compete with the senior teams. I'm already excited to get out playing against the senior teams. So, I think it can't be a case of you're up and then you're down, you really have to push on.”
Ailbhe Clancy starred for Leitrim in the All-Ireland Ladies Football Intermediate Championship final against Tyrone at Croke Park. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Delivering on the senior stage is the next target for Clancy. “Meath came from Intermediate not too long ago, they've done incredibly well since then,” Clancy remarks.
“We've just got to find our own path and our own journey too with Leitrim, with the different players in Leitrim. I'm sure the management team will be working hard behind the scenes, getting new players involved, getting different plans in place, to build on this momentum.”
Jonny Garrity has enjoyed a productive spell as Leitrim manager and Clancy is optimistic. “Last year we got a new management team in, we were finding our feet a bit,” she says.
“Then, this year it really just took off, the team really came together. We are such a close team, everyone works so well together, and we all know our roles. It was fantastic to see. I know it is a cliché, but we did just take every game as it came, to try to tick each box.”
The past week and a half has brought plenty of joy to Leitrim people. “It is incredible, last week was unbelievable, to see the streets in Carrick and all the towns and villages across the county, with Leitrim supporters,” Clancy says.
“So, it was incredible, and hopefully it is a good boost for the county.”
