Clare's Ziyan Spillane excited about Croke Park clash
Clare's Ziyan Spillane pictured ahead of Saturday's All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Quarter-Final against Waterford.
By Cian O’Connell
“There is huge excitement, it is a hugely exciting week for all of us in Clare camogie, especially myself, I've never played at Croke Park,” Ziyan Spillane explains ahead of Saturday’s Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie quarter-final against Waterford.
“Some of the other girls would be in a similar situation,” she adds. “We're really just looking forward to next weekend.”
It is an encouraging time for Clare, who are beginning to stir in camogie. Recently, Waterford and Dublin have enjoyed admirable championship runs so Clare believe that further progress can be made. “Our goal at the start of the year was to get to a quarter-final,” Spillane says.
“To achieve that goal, firstly, gives us huge confidence. Seeing the other teams, and credit to Waterford and Dublin, they've made huge strides over the last few years.
“For us, the performance we put in two weeks ago against the All-Ireland champions (Cork), the top team in the country, that gives us big confidence, too.”
Clare players have featured in significant matches at club and third level which adds further optimism. “I think the team has been changing for a couple of years,” Spillane says.
“All of us now have good experience, playing in an All-Ireland Junior Final, playing for their club in an All-Ireland Final. As a team we've come together.
“The league, for us, was a good stepping stone. Hopefully now it can all really come together on Saturday, and we can put in a performance we know we're capable of.
“I think it is massive, to have players at any level, whether playing with club or college, playing at the highest level of the sport, it is just huge.
“It really helps Clare camogie to develop and have that leadership and that experience of the big days, it will be massive for us.”
Ultimately, Spillane is adamant that Clare camogie can develop “Exactly,” she responds. “I think we've been building for a couple of years.
“Everything is just coming together now. All of us, management, players, and everyone in the county, we're just really looking forward to this weekend, and being able to run out in an All-Ireland quarter-final at Croke Park.”