“Croke Park is the best place in the world to win but also the worst place in the world to lose” – Down captain Fionnuala Carr ready for Sunday’s big occasion

Down face Cork this Sunday in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Final in Croke Park. Throw-in is set for 2pm with the Down looking to make to make history as they compete in their first Intermediate Final. We caught up with Down captain Fionnuala Carr ahead of their eageyl anticipated encounter.

 

Q. So, Fionnula, coming into your match against Cork, how have preparations been going?

"Yeah preparations since the Semi-Final have been going very well. We had a tough second-half against Tipperary but we went straight back out to training on the Tuesday and Thursday as normal. We trained hard that week and we’ll be looking to add an even greater intensity to our training sessions before we wrap-up ahead of the Final. Thankfully we’ve no major worries or concerns ahead of the Final."

 

Q. Has your mindset changed at all coming into what promises to be a thrilling encounter against a strong Cork side?

"The mindset that we had at the start of the year has remained constant right throughout the campaign. We place a major focus on work ethic and always looking to improve and to keep going no matter what adversities we face. No matter what happens, always give 100% effort and the rest will fall in to place."

 

Q. How does your team plan on managing your emotions coming into your first Intermediate Final in Croke Park?  

"There’s only six of us left from the 2014 Premier Junior Final. So, it’s important to get the group focused on the game rather than on the occasion itself. It’s a fantastic occasion for us to be in involved in, it’s our first Intermediate final and it’s the highlight of the Camogie Calendar. It’s important for us to hammer home the message that Croke Park is the best place in the world to win but also the worst place in the world to lose. It’s vital for us to just focus on the game and all the hard work and the rest will take care of itself."

 

Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Championships Finals

Sunday September 9^th

Croke Park

 

Senior Final

Cork v Kilkenny

Throw-in: 4.15pm

Referee: Eamon Cassidy (Derry)

 

Intermediate Final

Cork v Down

Throw-in: 2pm

Referee: John Dermody (Westmeath)

 

Premier Junior Final

Dublin v Kerry

Throw-in: 12noon

Referee: Alan Doheny (Laois)