McIntyre adds an extra element to Tipperary attack

By Enda Treacy

Lorrha speedster Clodagh McIntyre is one of several young new talent that has come into the senior setup in recent years, and she has made the corner forward position her own this season with some impressive performances, not least the last day out against Wexford, and she and her teammates are keen to get back out on the pitch and get down to business.

“We’ve met them (Waterford) a few times at this stage over the last few years so there is definitely a strong rivalry built up between us now so we’re really gearing up for it,” she began.

Confidence has steadily grown in the intervening years since McIntyre made her way up from the intermediate team, with a number of close results in big games indicating a progression from a group who are eager to strike while the iron is hot, and McIntyre believes that the group is ready to take that extra step.

“I think we’re as confident as we’ve ever been as a group in comparison to other years,” she added.

“I feel like we’ve prepared a lot better, and I know I’m only relatively new to the panel, but all the other girls have been saying the same.

“Maybe in other years, we’d have approached some matches with some fear against the Cork’s, Galway’s, and Kilkenny’s, but we’re actually looking forward to playing them this year so we can show that we’re just as good as them.”

One of the downfalls of this Tipperary team in recent years has been the goal scoring stats, in big games in particular, as the big three tend to be far more decisive in front of the nets than the Premier women, but this is definitely an aspect that the Tipp coaches have honed in on according to the Lorrha ace

“There’s a big emphasis being put on goals this year, for sure,” she agreed.

“Creating space, finding each other in space, and also a big emphasis on the puck-outs are things that we’ve really worked on, and we’ve probably fallen short on these in the last few years, and I think it’s making a big difference.

“It’s definitely a reason why we’ve won our matches so comfortably this year, but we will have a different sort of challenge against Waterford.”

With the dismal year being endured by every Tipperary Gael, with every team bowing out of the championship uncharacteristically early, the senior camogie team are the last team in blue and gold left standing, but it isn’t adding any negative pressure in McIntyre’s eyes.

“I wouldn’t say we’re under any sort of increased pressure, but I would say is that we’re looking forward to putting in good performances and doing ourselves justice,” she added.

“None of us would feel under any added pressure to perform from outside the group but we’re always thriving to give a performance where we have nothing left to give and left everything out on the field, and that’s what we go out to do every time we play.

“I think there definitely will be an added interest around the county. The match is going to be on TV as well which is great for the exposure of the game and maybe for ourselves, to get a bit more recognition from the supporters because we put in as much time and effort as any other team.

“Hopefully it can attract a lot more support now that we’re the only team left standing.”