*Ciara McCarthy is tackled by Aoife Power. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
SCARIFF/OGONNELOE’s bid to qualify for a first-ever All-Ireland senior club camogie final has taken a big leap in the right direction.
Aoife Power, a key player during Scariff/Ogonnelloe’s maiden senior success in 2019 has returned to training with the East Clare side having recovered from a dreaded anterior cruciate ligament which she sustained at county training last year.
Power will add pace, skill and flair to their attack as they bid to be crowned All-Ireland champions for the first time in their semi-final clash on February 19th/20th.
David Sullivan, manager of Scariff/Ogonnelloe told The Clare Echo that the returning trio of Aoife, Holly McGee and Aisling Corry, all from the 2019 side will bolster their selection for the last four clash. “We’re going to try damnedest to get Aoife Power back on the field in the next four weeks, to get Holly McGee and Aisling Corry fitter, to get our panel stronger and keep everyone fit to get over that line the next day. It is about getting over the line and getting into an All-Ireland final which is our dream, that’s what we have all dreamed of. I find myself in a privileged position to work with such an ambitious group of players, I know they will give everything to me in the next four weeks so that we can get over the line”.
While Aoife as of yet is unlikely to feature for the full hour, Sullivan outlined that any role she could play will definitely lift her teammates and their supporters. “Aoife is ploughing up and down the field at the present moment, she is twisting and turning, we need to get her back into contact. She has three weeks left, it might not happen that it comes from the start of the game but if the game was tight with ten minutes to get and you were introducing a player of that calibre she would lift the whole place. It is one of our primary objectives to get Aoife back on the field, to get some minutes into her legs and see can she play some part in the All-Ireland semi-final”.