Kelly relishing final encounter

Kelly relishing final encounter 

Antrim ladies defender Emma Kelly is relishing the last chance she will have to grace the Croke Park turf as the Saffron’s prepare for their All-Ireland junior final meeting with Longford next weekend. 

The 31-year old St Paul’s defender from Derry was part of Brian Coyle’s successful 2012 Junior All-Ireland winning team who defeated Louth in GAA headquarters and although Kelly did not want to be playing Junior Championship this year, she is delighted to get the chance to play at Croke Park again on All-Ireland final Sunday. 

“It’s an amazing and proud feeling” admitted Kelly. 

“We didn’t want to be regraded to Junior but who wouldn’t want to get to play at Croke Park again? It will be my last chance so I’m looking forward to it”. 

A Belfast Community Sports Development coach by trade, Kelly said her last outing in headquarters back in 2012 was a daze and admits there were a lot of nerves in the build up. 

“It kind of all was a daze, it flies by when your there, the smiles and relief at the end of the game will always be remembered” reflected Kelly. 

“The hotel the night before and morning of the game was probably the most nervous but you just have to focus but not stress. Driving to the pitch and seeing the supporters gives you goosebumps but that's why you play for those special moments you have to soak it up”. 

Kelly is one of the senior members of a very youthful squad, although she doesn’t feel the younger members of the squad will be fazed by Croke Park she has offered some advice. 

“Thankfully I'm not the oldest now thanks to Christine [Drain]” joked Kelly. 

“But I think the young girls will probably not let it faze them. I'd just tell them to play the way they can, keep simple things right and just go for it but enjoy every second”. 

The last time Antrim faced final opponents Longford at St Pauls’ back in August, the Leinster side prevailed by two points and left the Saffron’s devastated and with a decision to make with regards to their participation in the next round of the championship. They would go on to defeat Lancashire and then London in the semi-final and Kelly pinpointed their defeat to Longford as the turning point in their championship campaign. 

“I think that defeat has helped us gel as a unit and made us realise we have to fight for this” admitted Kelly. 

“Making the decision of going to Liverpool was the making and breaking of us but everyone stood up and said we weren't giving up and that's how we got to the final”. 

Kelly is confident in her team-mates that they can do the business but believes they will have to fight until the end and hope it is enough to succeed. 

“It's going to be tough, very tough both teams will know a bit about each other which will just make it a bit more edgy but sure anything can happen in a final” reflected Kelly. 

“We have a great squad, some experience and some rawness which will always benefit on the day. We will be confident but we know we have a battle on our hands but we won't give up. Fight to the end and hope it is enough to bring the trophy back to Antrim”.