The Rose who became a county champion
Birthday girl Caoimhe Deering (left) celebrates winning the IFC with teammates Ciara McGuirk, Orla Hanlon, Sarah Curran and her nephew Charlie Maher. Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
It’s not many people who can compare the feeling of being involved in the Rose of Tralee with winning a Carlow Intermediate Football title but Caoimhe Deering is no ordinary person.
Deering, who also celebrated her 24th birthday on the day of the Saturday’s 3-13 to 4-7 win over Kildavin/Clonegal, said the feeling of winning with a team beats anything you do as an individual.
“I think this is more nerve racking. With the Rose you are by yourself but this is about doing it for a team. We had a great support there as well from everybody in Rathvilly and all those who came out today, you’re doing it for them as well. I’m so proud of everybody,” said the 2023 Carlow Rose.
County finals are hard won, this was Rathvilly’s first since 2019, and Deering, who was also part of that team five years ago and who puts so much into football in her club, was emotional when reflected on their journey through the year.
“We had such a hard start to the year, getting management. We have to say a huge thanks to the lads who came back when nobody else would take us but now we proved everybody wrong by winning the county final.
“After such a hard start to the year, myself and Sinead Tallon are the main LGFA people in the club, and Colin Gibbons is a great help as well, but it’s hard doing everything so hopefully we can draw in another few people as well,” said Deering.
On the final itself, she praised Rathvilly’s hard working opponents Kildavin/Clonegal but said she was so proud of her team who found a way to win.
“We made hard work of it in the end but credit to Kildavin, they are always a good team and we’ve had some battles with them over the last three years.
“They are a really, really tough team. They were in the final last year as well so would have been fully up for it. In the dressing room at half time we just said we had half an hour to do it for the club.
“We’ve been on other side of it at other times unfortunately but today we showed that we are not a team that lies down easily and I’m just so, so proud of the girls," said the delighted Deering.
