Patrice Diggin hoping to inspire next generation in Kerry

By Cian O'Connell

"These are the days you're training for when you go training back in January, February, and March," Kerry's Patrice Diggin says as the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Final against Offaly edges closer.

"In the wind and rain, you're just hoping and dreaming about getting to Croke Park in August when the weather might be a bit better."

So, it is an exciting time in Kerry. The senior footballers are back perched on the summit, but camogie has developed during the past decade. "It is another step in the right direction for Kerry camogie," Diggin adds.

"It is our first time in an Intermediate Final, we won the Junior six or seven years ago. At least we're still on an upward trajectory. Hopefully, on Sunday we can keep that going upwards."

The fact that the Kerry ladies footballers made significant progress through the levels is a source of inspiration. "They did, 100 per cent, and you're always going to look at the success in your own county," Diggin remarks.

"For definite, the ladies have progressed. They came up from Division Two in the league, got to Division One, and won the All-Ireland. So, they were on an upward trajectory, you want to follow in those positive directions, and keep it going ourselves."

The hurling and camogie community is tight knit in the Kingdom. "The majority of us are north Kerry, there is a few coming from the Killarney and Castleisland direction, too," Diggin explains.

"The majority are north Kerry. You're talking five or six clubs maybe in the panel. That isn't a lot, but it creates a good bond because everybody knows each other. So, you've pluses and minuses to it. In Kerry, we know no different, it is what we've grown up with, it is what we're used to. We don't see any negatives in it."

Ultimately, the momentum that has been generated is important for the next generation. "Definitely," Diggin responds instantly. "When we were playing camogie underage, there was no senior camogie team. It was hard.

"You were thinking about playing at Croke Park, but we never saw it as a real possibility because it wasn't something that was done before in Kerry.

"Now, it is a real inspiration for young girls in all of the different clubs around the place to see that it is a possibility, that they're able to go to see all of us play.

"It is definitely something for them to look up to and drive on for in a couple of years when they're playing at senior level."