Galway camogie player Aine Keane says focusing on her club was key to helping her get over defeat to Cork in the All-Ireland Camogie final in August.
In her first Al-Ireland final starting for Galway, Keane was part of the side who just came up short to the Rebels in Croke Park.
Attention quickly turned to St Thomas, who will be up against Sarsfields in the Galway Senior Camogie final this weekend.
"It obviously was a very disappointing day, but I think we performed.
“Cork were just better than us on the day. That is the biggest thing about it all. It was a tough couple of months. It was my first ever All-Ireland final starting and playing in. The downfall and comeback from that, it was tough initially.
“Throwing myself back into club has helped. Getting involved with the club, getting back playing does help. It was bitterly disappointing, but in sport, you win some, you lose some. Unfortunately, we came out on the losing side.
“Hopefully we will be back again next year. For now, I'm just focusing on the club and that has helped me get over it, to get back into it again. Playing camogie is what I love to do.”
Coming into the end of July, Galway were in contention to win the Men and Ladies football, along with the Camogie title.
Unfortunately, three heartbreaking defeats followed, as Keane says she wishes Galway had a title to celebrate.
However, St Thomas is an exciting place to be part of, with the success of the hurlers making it the community proud.
The hurlers are busy preparing for Saturday’s rearranged Galway SHC semi-final against Cappataggle, the day before the Camogie team face Sarsfields in the final.
"There is a great buzz in all fairness", says Keane.
"Hopefully we will have two county finals to look forward to. That was the case in 2019 when we got to our last county. We didn't come out the right side of our final, but they did.
"Even for the younger players it is great. It is great to see both sets of the club doing well. For a small club, we are incredibly proud to have our club playing at this level."
