Clodagh McCambridge (Clann Éireann, Armagh) pictured at the announcement of AIB’s landmark sponsorship agreement with the LGFA, which sees AIB become the title sponsor of the coveted All-Ireland Ladies’ Football Club Championship. This historic four-year sponsorship marks the first time a single sponsor has united all four codes of Gaelic Games – Gaelic Football, Hurling, Camogie, and Ladies Football – under one banner. Photo by Dan Sheridan/INPHO
By Cian O’Connell
In a sporting world, things can change swiftly and dramatically. The McCambridge family in 2024 can certainly reflect on plenty of encouraging days at Croke Park.
Clodagh McCambridge remains an influential figure in an Armagh ladies football outfit, who continue to make progress. Barry McCambridge’s inter-county campaign culminated in an All-Ireland triumph decorated by a string of brilliant individual displays.
“It was surreal, I think going in at the start of the year, we weren't expecting to be in an All-Ireland final, to keep getting big days out, it was great,” Clodagh McCambridge reflects on her brother’s adventure. “All of a sudden, they win the whole thing, having Barry involved was class. It was very emotional, but it was brilliant.”
It highlighted the value of responding to setbacks, perseverance matters so much. “Definitely,” she replies, “we are all in the same house still so whenever you're coming in, both of us are coming in after training.
“Some of us are starting and other times he's not, it can be tough. Then, to see him getting the rewards at the end, he got his opportunities, got big scores in big games. Just the way the season ended it was brilliant.”
There isn’t too much of an emphasis placed on football talk in the house. “Probably we don't go into too much detail,” Clodagh McCambridge laughs.
Barry McCambridge starred for Armagh in the 2024 All-Ireland SFC. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
“I wouldn't be asking him too many questions about it, and he wouldn't be asking me either. It is more surface level or high level questions, that's about it.”
Armagh Ladies won the Division One League title at Croke Park, providing an injection of hope. The championship adventure was terminated by eventual victors Kerry. “I think, looking back we've definitely progressed,” McCambridge says.
“We weren't expecting at the start of the year, we definitely wouldn't have been expecting to come away with a Division One title. If you said at the start of the year that we were going to get a Division One title and regain an Ulster title, it was going to be a big positive for us.
“I feel like we've definitely improved and progressed as a team. Obviously, we were disappointed in the end not to get over the semi-final, we probably didn't do ourselves justice. We've a lot to build on for next year, and I don't think we're too far away.”
The fact that several counties believe that All-Ireland ladies glory is possible adds to the excitement according to McCambridge. “We're lucky it is so competitive,” she responds.
“So many teams on a given day can beat each other. I think, if you're going into a year with a full belief, it is achievable and you see teams - Dublin have won it for a number of years - but when you're seeing other teams breakthrough, getting an opportunity, why can't that be us. It feels more attainable, I think.”
