League win will have repercussions for Derry

The Derry team celebrate with James McAnenly, 10 months after the Irish Daily Star National Camogie League Division 2 Final. Picture credit: Caroline Quinn

Derry senior camogie captain Grainne McGoldrick is in no doubt as to the significance of last weekend’s National League triumph.

The Oak Leaf outfit ran out convincing 2-11 to 0-6 winners over Meath in last weekend’s Division Two league decider against Meath to claim the title for only the second ever time, their last triumph way back in 1999.

So was last weekend’s victory the most significant title win for Derry thus far? Their skipper certainly thinks so.

“I think it definitely was. It’s a massive stepping stone, there is a large number of players who have been trying to get to the top of division two for the past couple of years, so to finally get there is great.

“To know that we can compete with the best teams and the best players in Ireland is great, and hopefully it should give us a real boost as we head into the championship.”

When they were needed, Derry did not have to look far for leaders. Karen Kielt contributed 1-3 to the cause and picked up the player of the match accolade, while Katie McAuley also found the back of the Royal net.

Although their 11-point winning margin may make it look like an easy outing, the captain insists that her side had to dig deep in order to secure what was a monumental victory.

The full story is in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published Thursday May 10. Buy your copy now in your newsagent, or online by clicking the subscribe button on this page