Sligo confident ahead of All-Ireland final: ‘We believe in our own ability and in what we've done since November to get us over the line'

Irish Independent

19 hours ago

After all, she was part of the Sligo minor side that won the All-Ireland final last year, and was part of the Sligo Under 16 side that was beaten by Kerry the previous year.
Last year, Gallagher won an All Ireland Schools Senior B crown with St Attracta's and earlier this summer won a Connacht title with Gurteen Celtic's senior women's team.
She's not the only one, several players in this Sligo panel have the valuable 'big match day' experience that will be helpful when it comes to Saturday's ZuCar All Ireland minor 'B' final against Clare.
'We know the feeling of a final,' Gallagher said last week.
"We know what it's like and the experience of it. We're used to winning them and we've lost one as well, under 16 with the game against Kerry. So we're just hoping out to really push on and get over the line.
"Of course, last year, we got over the line, so we know what it's like and we're just hoping that the same thing for the same thing this year. That's the plan, that's the goal.
'We're all buzzing. We're looking forward to it. We're ready and we're just hoping to get there and put on a show and put on a good performance for the Sligo supporters.'
And while Gallagher is expecting a tough game against Clare, she says Sligo have full confidence in their work since November and belief it will get them over the line.
"We don't know much about them (Clare). We're sure that they're going to be a brilliant side and they're going to be really good and they're going to be ready. But we've confidence in our ability and in our performances and in what we've done since November to get us over the line.'
Kate Smith, who scored three goals off the bench in the semi-final win over Laois says Sligo will be full of confidence going into this weekend's final, particularly after their comprehensive win over Laois.
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'It was a good feeling. I suppose we're confident now going into the final with that result. I just hope now we pull through.'
On her own contribution to that semi-final victory, a humble Smith added: 'I suppose I was in the place the right time and I just finished them!'
For these ambitious Sligo players, reaching another final is what they would have been aiming for at the start of the season. And Gallagher feels it's an exciting time to be a Sligo fan, with underage finals becoming an annual event in recent years.
'Each year we set out our targets and goals and we push towards them, and in the last few years, we seemed to be hitting them, so we're hoping for that to continue in the next spell. It's exciting for Sligo football and everyone involved. We're all really happy with it.'