Galway’s Dervla Higgins pictured in Croke Park today to launch the Very Camogie League Finals taking place this Sunday April 16. Very are calling on the nation to go to the finals in Croke Park and support the players by purchasing tickets here: Very National Camogie League Finals | GAA (ticketmaster.com).
By Cian O’Connell
From a famous Athenry sporting family, Dervla Higgins is relishing being involved with the Galway camogie team.
Sunday’s Croke Park League decider against Cork is next on the agenda for Higgins, who is encouraged that Galway are remaining relevant on the national stage.
“I think we are there or thereabouts every year,” Higgins says. “We are somewhat consistent, we have been training hard. For as long as we can keep it going it is brilliant. We've been going good so far.
“The more successful you are the more enjoyment you get out of it and it is that little bit easier to keep going when things are going well. It is easier to keep consistent with it, to keep training hard. The goal is there every year to be successful.”
That Galway have another game ahead of the Championship will aid preparations too according to Higgins. “This time of the year as many matches as you can squeeze in is all really, really good,” she says.
“We are looking forward to the challenge ahead, Cork are a good outfit, a good side. There is never much between us anytime we come across each other. So hopefully now on Sunday we will deliver, that it will be a good game, we are looking forward to it.”
Daughter of former Athenry star Pat Higgins, sport always mattered to the family. “In a way, I suppose, from a young age memories would be going down to my Dad's training sessions,” she recalls.
Saoirse McCarthy, Cork, and Dervla Higgins, Galway, in action during the 2022 League Final at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
“I was brought up around it, going to games, going to the training sessions, watching the matches, and everything.
“I was playing Camogie for as long as I can remember, I always had a hurl in my hand. I've an older brother, the two of us were always outdoors.
“Then having the background with my Dad and uncles involved in it- a weekend involved going to their games, them coming to my games. It was brilliant that way.”
Athenry Club Camogie continue to carry out important work with facilities being developed. “We've had huge developments with it, a huge fundraiser went on - win a house and car,” Higgins explains. “There was huge publicity around that. Once it gets up and going and running it will be brilliant to have facilities within the club.
“As an inter-county player too we might be able to make use of the ground. From a club perspective it will be absolutely brilliant just to have the facilities.
“In our underage we have so many numbers, a stat came out that we have one of the highest underage numbers in Ireland with the club. So we need the ground, the demand is there for them. We are just waiting to get them up and running, to make use of them.”
With tradition and talent the future bodes well for Athenry with the Higgins’ still making a crucial contribution.