Cooper calls on Saffron backing at Croke

Cooper calls on Saffron backing at Croke 

By Kevin Herron 

Antrim ladies forward Mairead Cooper has called on the Saffron supporters to come out in force at Croke Park on September 25th as they chase down a second All-Ireland Junior title in four years. 

Cooper was part of the successful 2012 winning All-Ireland Junior winning team under the management of Brian Coyle and the St Pauls’ player is hoping a big support can congregate on GAA headquarters to cheer them onto victory once again against Longford next weekend. 

“It's a great motivation when you run out onto the pitch to a big cheer and plenty of saffron flags and jerseys” said Cooper. 

“So the supporters have a huge role to play. The LGFA are aiming to break the attendance record this year, so we are hoping to see a huge saffron turn out, and urge all the clubs to get involved!” 

Ever since winning the Junior All-Ireland in 2012 Antrim’s intermediate championship involvement has ended in early August and Cooper is delighted that the Saffron’s championship campaign has been extended to the last weekend in September with a day out in Croke Park the reward for their hard work. 

“It’s fantastic to still be playing football in September!” said Cooper. 

“It’s especially great for some of the younger players to experience an All Ireland Final Day in Croke Park. We are enjoying the preparations and looking forward to 25th September”. 

Cooper admits there were nerves before stepping out in headquarters in 2012 and expects the same next Sunday when the Saffron’s take to the field. 

“We were excited and nervous in 2012” admitted Cooper. 

“Playing in Croke Park is a massively exciting experience. We were nervous as we were big favorites to beat Louth in 2012. Yes, of course there will be nerves again! It will be All Ireland final day in Croke Park; nerves will naturally be part of the experience. The venue in itself can be daunting, but hopefully previous experiences will help put us at ease a little sooner”. 

On the game itself Cooper hopes that Antrim can play their normal game which has got them to a league final this season after beating All-Ireland final opponents Longford in the semis and wins against Lancashire and London after being defeated by Longford in the championship in August. 

“We've played each other twice this season already, we won the first game and Longford the second” reflected Cooper. 

“Our aim is to just play our best football on the day, and if we can achieve that, we should come out on top”. 

On Saturday the Antrim ladies will be partaking in a SPINATHON at the Kennedy Centre between 9am-6pm in order to raise funds to go towards the All-Ireland preparations with bucket collections. There will also be a donation bucket at the U-16 finals in Gort Na Mona on Saturday going towards the All-Ireland venture. Please call in and give a donation no matter how small !