Cork based Mairead Kennedy seeks local bragging rights for the Cats

The build-up to this weekend’s All-Ireland decider will be very strange indeed for Mairead Kennedy as the Kilkenny defender lives and works in Cork so she’s very much in enemy territory in many ways.

Kennedy is only in her second year back on the squad and she outlines the journey in returning to Kilkenny colours.

“I played Intermediate when I was in my Leaving Certificate year and my first few years in college and then I took a break from it.

“After my first stint with the team I went away on a J1 and wanted to come back playing after that but Covid arrived so that was kind of it so when Seamus (Kelly) asked me in last year I was delighted.

“I played a lot of camogie down in UCC when in college and Seamus was my minor manager so that probably helped in me making my return.

“Everyone is asking me about the game but it’s nice friendly banter in Cork at the moment.

“It’s a big commitment coming up from Cork but I’ve got used to it over the last two years and you have to be super organised to get meals right but I’m a dietitian by trade so that helps.”

The Leinster Intermediate winner has also noted a few changes since returning to the squad after a few years.

“I’ve been back the last two years and I’ve definitley noticed the sacrifcies and commitment that you have to make as it takes a lot to be here every night for training.

“You have to do all the right things and have yourself in order with training during the winter months but I’ve still really enjoyed the year and I knew what I was signing up for with the same management still involved as you know what way they all work.”

The 25 year-old also admits that she has a number of friends coming up from Cork for the game even if they mightn’t necessarily be supporting the Cats:

“Everyone has GAA on their minds down in Cork after they reached the All-Ireland Hurling Final and a lot of my friends are heading up to the game from there aswell and the train was already booked out before we even thought about it much but it’ll be great to see all the colour around Croke Park so it’ll be fantastic”, she added.

Kennedy has made a home in the Kilkenny defence this term and she’s excited about appearing in Croke Park for the first time.

“It’s very exciting and it’s just a privilege to be involved at this time of the year and I’ll try to enjoy the build-up as I’ve never been in an All-Ireland Final before and it’s a great group to be involved with.

“Everyone is buzzing in training at the moment and all anyone is thinking about is the game and while the build-up is great, it’s easy to get distracted with different things going on that we wouldn’t be used to and it’s really important to realise that we still have a job to do.

“I’ve never played in Croke Park so it will be a career highlight and I can’t wait for it now”.

All county focus is now on the Intermediates and while Kennedy and co would love to have the seniors involved alongside them on Sunday, they know they have a job to do.

The Kerry win after extra-time was a big confidence boost for the group as it at that same stage where the 2023 campaign ended and getting that monkey off the back is a big thing for the team.

“It’s mad being the only Kilkenny team left playing as we’ve normally went kind of hand in hand with the seniors and it was the same last year but it’s still great for the Intermediates to get the recognition as all of the girls are great rolemodels for any youngster watching on. 1.

“We wouldn’t say it’s been a perfect championship campaign but it’s definitley gone well and that’s because we’ve trained so hard and there is still a bit of hurt over the way we lost out in last year’s semi-final.

“That defeat has kind of being in our minds all year so it was really good to remember that and push on again.

“We would have learned a lot from the semi-final win and we know there are aspects we can improve on but digging out the win will also give us a lot of belief that we can beat these teams and even when we are up against it, we know we have the players to do damage so hopefully we can get one more big display.”