Orlagh Phelan: 'It is fantastic'

By Cian O'Connell

Orlagh Phelan is embracing the excitement. Something has been stirring in Offaly recently, with teams in different codes competing for silverware.

So, Sunday's Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie decider against Kerry is eager anticipated. Phelan, Offaly's young captain, is relishing the build-up. "It is fantastic," Phelan says.

"This day is brilliant, getting all of the media and pictures done, it builds up everything. On Sunday, you've obviously a more important job to do. It is absolutely fantastic, and I can just feel the excitement building up."

Being the captain isn't a burden in the slightest for Phelan. "It is a fantastic experience, I feel like I'm not appreciating it enough," she laughs.

"As the years go on, I probably will, but I don't take that on too much. We've a big game on Sunday, that is our main focus, we want to win that, we've 60 minutes to do so. It is an incredible experience, I'm from a small club at home, Naomh Bríd, it is a fantastic honour."

Offaly flags are flying, and Phelan accepts that football, hurling, and camogie are high on the conversation list once more. "Even driving around, the local area, and we were training in Tullamore on Monday, seeing all the Offaly flags up, it is brilliant," Phelan reflects.

"The Offaly supporters are a credit to themselves, they've got behind every team so far. They got behind the hurling and football, it is brilliant.

"It is so nice as a player and also as a supporter, that people are getting behind you, they talk about the camogie. People are getting tickets to support Offaly, I think it is great that we get to wear Offaly jerseys at Croke Park.

"In fairness, to everyone around and all of the Offaly supporters, their support is greatly appreciated, and will be greatly appreciated when we see them all at Croke Park on Sunday."

Encouraging signs are there for the Offaly camogie team in 2025. A Very National League Division 2A title illustrated Offaly's potential. "We started off the year well with the league final win, we were absolutely delighted with that," Phelan remarks.

"We obviously didn't dwell on it too much, but the win was fantastic. The end goal was to always get to an All-Ireland final. When you get to an All-Ireland final, the next goal is to win it.

"We've got the year off to a great start. It is so fantastic that we will be back here at Croke Park playing in an All-Ireland final. I think it will be the best experience ever."

A solid foundation has been established, offering hope for the future. "We've a young enough team with some fantastic camogie players coming through," Phelan replies.

"We've most of the girls from last year that came back which is brilliant to see. It shows that there is want there from players. Then, you've girls coming back who mightn't have played camogie in two or three years, it is fantastic to see.

"There is a young crop of players coming through, and hopefully they will be playing senior camogie for the next while.

"The girls are a credit to themselves, the amount of work they've put in. Hopefully, on Sunday, we can get back up to senior, it would be fantastic to achieve that."