Glanmire are preparing to play in an All-Ireland intermediate club final on Saturday, this after finally getting over the line in the Cork championship, with captain Ellen Twomey feeling the side are "getting better and better".
Leitrim's Ballianmore Seán O'Heslin's will be the opposition on Saturday at Croke Park (3pm throw-in) for Glanmire as they aim to cap off a memorable year.
After losing three consecutive county finals, Twomey and her team-mates edged Naomh Abán by a point and then had two points to spare over Limerick's Monagea in the Munster decider. They booked their spot in the Croke Park finale with four points to spare over Meath's Na Fianna a fortnight ago
Coming out the right side of tight matches is obviously standing to the side, with Twomey telling RTÉ Sport: "Thankfully, everything has gone right for us this year. We have been in a few very tight games, but those games have stood to us as we went on. We have been focusing in on the areas that we can improve on from those harder games. The experience we are after gaining from this championship alone is something you can't train.
We knew Naomh Abán, going into the Cork championship this year, were going to be a very strong side. So we were well prepared. We fell behind in the county final. We trailed for the majority of that match. We had a player sin-binned so we were down to 14 players for a period. We conceded a goal while being down to 14 players.
"But I think from there on, we said it is do-or-die from here. Everyone stood up. Subs came in and made a huge difference. It just showed the depths of the panel. This year has been great experience-wise and a learning curve for us. I just think as the games have progressed, we are getting better and better."
As to why Glanmire are getting their noses in front when it matters this year, Twomey added: "This year, we have brought in younger players that are putting us under savage pressure for positions. No one has a set position. No one has their name written across the back of a jersey.
"All 35 players on the panel have got a run in championship. From that alone, we are after developing a panel, which is really, really important to us. For instance, Eabha Fitzgerald, who would have been our wing-back, she got injured playing camogie for Sars. A go-to player gone for the Munster final. But because we had a panel developed, someone slotted in and it made no difference.
"I have gone the whole way up along, going through various management. I think it's good being under different managements because they bring so much to the table. Any management over us the last few years have done absolutely fantastic work.
"The new management have given us a new edge. Conor Quinlan is our trainer. He has a basketball background, as well. He just has a small bit of a different dynamic than what normal coaches would have, and it is really, really interesting. It seems to be working for us. Our manager, Vincie [Barry], is linking in with the chairman.
"If we ask for anything, it is never a question of will it benefit us, it is more will it benefit us as a football team, and if the answer is yes, there are no questions asked and it is done. Everything this year has been really professional and we are so grateful for it."
And while Glanmire were not dreaming of a December appearance on Jones' Road at the start of the year, they are determined to make the most of the opportunity before the glare of the tv cameras.
"We never, ever thought of the All-Ireland at the beginning of the year," revealed Twomey, who features in the full-forward line for her club.
"Obviously, it's a goal that everyone kind of sets out with that if you were to win a county that the hope of going on in a Munster or All-Ireland series is there for you.
"But this year, I think after the last three years, we really, really want to get across the line with the county. So that's what we were focusing on. We were never trying to get ahead of ourselves. Whatever game was is in front of us we were preparing for.
"I just think to get across the line was so, so important for the club. The standard in Cork is phenomenal. There are so many clubs with various different kind of plans. Playing against various different teams of different levels of skill, physicality, it kind of prepares you then for the later end of the year like the Munster championship and the All-Ireland championship.
"The first I heard of the Munster championship was after the final whistle of the county final. It was actually funny enough, [runners-up] Naomh Abán's manager said it to me once we came out of the dressing room, saying you'd want to get yourself right for next Sunday you’re out against a Waterford team.
"So we had a county final on a Sunday and the following Sunday we were out against Waterford for our first round of Munster. Once you’re in the Munster competition the goal is to win Munster and then once we won it, okay, there's an All-Ireland there. We're going to have a crack off it.
"We didn't even think we'd be playing in Croke Park this year. It's something that's phenomenal. Anyone that plays ladies football, camogie, GAA, I think it's something on the bucket list that you play a match in Croke Park, not to mind a big of a game as an All Ireland final, so we're really, really looking forward to it and hopefully the nerves of playing in Croke Park and it being on TV doesn't get the best of some of the players.
"But management are kind of dealing with it and getting our heads right and trying to not let that take away from the match that's up ahead."
For Ballinamore it's also been a case of tight battles, with a late goal and a point from Aoibheann Flynn ensuring a two-point win over Steelstown Brian Ógs of Derry in their All-Ireland semi-final, this after beating Sligo's Eoghan Rua to claim the Connacht title.
"The All-Ireland was tight, down to the wire, similar to our Connacht final," said Ballinamore skipper Gráinne Prior, when she spoke to RTÉ Sport.
"It definitely added to the excitement, when the final whistle blew everyone went absolutely mad.
"Hopefully it's not as down to the wire but it will definitely be just as tough a battle as those two games. Hopefully those games will stand to us on Saturday. "
Ballinamore are the first Leitrim club to reach an LGFA league final since Aughawillan in 1997 (first year of Junior) and Prior is relishing the support the side will have at GAA HQ.
""We're a small town in Leitrim, a very small population but a very proud club and I’d say the whole stand will be full of yellow jerseys.
"We have had so much support from surrounding clubs at home. People that would usually be your rivals but are all behind us.
"It’s great to see any Leitrim club at Croke Park in one of these finals. It makes it that bit more special."
