From the aisle to Croke Park - Aine Barton ready for All-Ireland final

WHEN the new year began, she was known as Aine McAllister but in April she became Aine Barton when she married Jack. 

The best day of your life they say, but the Ballinascreen girl might just be part of an even bigger day on Sunday in Croke Park. 

“My husband might not like it. All-Ireland champions that would definitely be the highlight of 2023,” laughed Barton.

The Screen girl has been immense this season in the red and white and picked up the player-of-the-match award in their tense semi-final win over Kilkenny. 

“Relief,” was how she summed up that initial feeling when the final whistle went. “Excitement and that the hard work, dedication and commitment and sacrifices the girls have made all year paid off,” she added. 

Understandably the relief, as they had been pipped at the same stage 12 months earlier when Cork came with a late smash and grab. It looked like history was going to repeat itself when Kilkenny had turned around a five point deficit to lead going into additional time.

“Coming up to the end of full-time and Kilkenny came back, that negative self talk does come into your head at times when things are not going your way. We showed great character though to come back, give Aoife (Shaw) that opportunity to equalise and then play the way we did in extra time. 

“I think that is just a snippet, I don’t think we have reached our full potential yet which is exciting looking ahead to Sunday.” 

The prize, the goal and dream Barton has long waited to achieve. 

“The opportunity to play in Croke [Park] is a massive thing for me, a goal I had set out a long time ago. It was a long time coming, I suppose I didn’t feel I would have to wait as long. Really looking forward to it like the rest of the girls,” she said.

She is a dual star not only for Ballinascreen having previously lined out for Derry in both codes, but in the end that tough choice had to be made between them. 

“In an ideal world I would love to have continued playing and representing Derry on both levels. My hat goes off to who can do it. 

“When I did commit it was during Covid, the season was condensed and I could manage it. The next year I got a real eye opener and how hard it is, playing championship games back-to-back on a Saturday and a Sunday. You had a game on the Saturday and come Sunday you were maybe able to offer 60 or 70 per cent of your performance,” she explained. 

“At this level and you get older, you feel the aces and pains. With being involved from underage with Camogie, my heart was towards Camogie at county level.” 

It is not only tough on dual stars but this Derry side had only five of last year’s team start their semi-final with a large turnaround of players, but the talent is in the county and younger players grabbed their chance. 

“That is the reality of sport and particularly in women's sport, players have other comittments, families starting or just retirements. It shows though the talented young players coming through and a number of those girls have made their senior debuts this year and they don’t look outside their comfort zone at all and took the opportunity.”

With GAA all over the county on such a high, it is easier to attract players into getting involved, they all want to be part of it. Back-to-back Ulster football champions, U20 hurling All-Ireland champions, minor footballer All-Ireland champions, senior hurlers reaching the Christy Ring final and last week the county hosted the World Games. Derry is on everyones lips. So it is no wonder the Derry joint captain wants to make hay while the sun shines and camogie to be in among it all. 

“With success comes more exposure to the game. A bigger fan base, massive for all our teams, it helps you get over the line and it really did the last day, hearing the crowd and it helps get those negative and self doubt thoughts out of your head. 

“Over the past two or three years female sports is getting more exposure and it is great here in Derry. Our county board have been fantastic, no matter what PJ [O’Mullan] has asked for he has got. We have a management team of five to six people, something we never had before, video analysis. Some people may think they are small things but they are so important and help you take that extra step forward. 

“I had the opportunity to bring a young girl, my club and county teammate, Mark Hegarty’s niece down to Croke Park, they invited us to take a 10 or12 year-old-down and that is really important. We want Sunday to show these younger girls, keep them involved and to show what opportunities are there if you go out and represent your county and the rewards that you get.”