Aimee Collier confident Laois Camogie can rise to Kerry challenge in Tullamore
Laois will face Kerry in Tullamore on Saturday with a place in the All-Ireland Intermediate final at stake
The Laois Camogie team are back in an All-Ireland semi-final for the third year in succession. This year's clash, however, sees them take on Kerry in the Intermediate Championship rather than at Premier Junior level, where they competed over the previous two seasons.
Captain Aimee Collier spoke to the Leinster Express/Laois Live ahead of Saturday's semi-final and reflected on the dramatic quarter-final victory over Down, where Kaylee O'Keeffe's late goal sealed Laois' place in the last four.
“It's great to be back at this stage again. I don't think we ever thought we'd be in an Intermediate All-Ireland semi-final after winning last year. Everyone's absolutely delighted. Just take it day by day now, I suppose, for the next two weeks and get ready for Kerry,” she said.
Looking back on that dramatic win over Down, Collier admitted Laois could have made life easier for themselves had they been more clinical in front of goal, feeling they left their opponents within touching distance heading into the closing stages.
“Thank God we got there in the end. I thought we were probably the better team on the day. We didn’t and I probably didn't take my chances when I got them. I missed a few goal chances, and that probably left us closer to them on the home straight. We should have probably had a few more scores on the board, but I'm just absolutely delighted we got over the line. Delighted for the girls; they really pushed out in the last ten minutes and really showed what we're about,” Collier said.
Down's three goals all came with an element of fortune attached, but Collier praised her side for remaining composed before paying tribute to O'Keeffe for taking her chance when it mattered most.
“They definitely got luck. Those two or three goals, they were definitely lucky goals. Not taken away from Down, they're a really good team, and that's what happens when you don't take your chances. The luck can sway the other way very quickly, and I'm just delighted we stuck in there in the end. We showed a bit of composure there in the last few minutes to really make the ball stick and get that last goal. Kaylee got a great goal there at the end, and fair play to her. She took it well, and she composed herself and she went for the goal, and it was great that we got over the line,” she said.
O'Keeffe opted to go for goal rather than take a point when Laois trailed by one late on, a decision that ultimately proved decisive.
“She was dead right and it went in. I would have said different if it was saved, but no, I think she was spot on. I think Kaylee herself thought there were two points in it and so did I. I think that's why she went for the goal, but look, it worked out in the end. I was delighted for her to get that score. She worked so hard all game, and it was great to see her get the goal,” Collier added.
Standing between Laois and another All-Ireland final is a Kerry side they drew with in the opening round of the National League. While that result offers some encouragement, Collier knows championship camogie is an entirely different challenge.
“It's a different ballgame when you're playing championship. Everyone is up to speed, and Kerry were in the All-Ireland Final last year, so it's another step again. The girls seem to be really meeting those challenges lately and really stepping it up, so I just hope we can step up again. We'll have to get match-ups right and do a bit of tactics, but I think we're ready to go,” she said.
Having entered the championship as Premier Junior champions, Laois' initial target was simply to retain their Intermediate status. Having achieved that and progressed to the semi-finals, Collier believes the squad belongs at this level and is embracing the underdog tag ahead of Saturday's showdown in Tullamore.
“That was obviously the main goal, but I think this is our level, and we've kind of always said that it was just to get back here. Now that we're here, I think we're here to stay, and being the underdog is probably the best thing for us as well because we can just take it game by game. There's no pressure on us. We just see how it goes, and that's even for the younger guys as well. Last Sunday, that's what we were portraying to the girls going out on to the field. Look, girls, there's no pressure on us. We'll just go out and hurl and show what we can do, and that's what they've definitely done, and we're just delighted we got to win,” she concluded.
Laois and Kerry throw in at 3pm in Glenisk O'Connor Park, Tullamore, on Saturday, July 18.