Higgins: Experience and youth keep Galway’s standards high

Galway vice-captain hoping to follow club success

By Oisín Noone

GALWAY’S bid to retain the All-Ireland senior camogie title has been built on a balance between experience and emerging talent, with Dervla Higgins believing the county’s continued success is being driven by established leaders and the next generation pushing behind them.

As her side prepare for Cork’s challenge, the experienced defender – who debuted in 2014 – says there has been little desire to alter a formula that has carried the Tribeswomen to a third successive All-Ireland final.

“There’s no point going and trying to change everything,” said Higgins last Thursday evening. “We’re trying to fine-tune everything – game plan, tactics, touch, work-rate, everything like that. But keeping it more or less the same.

“We still have another two or three [trainings] to go yet, but the intensity is good. The energy is building, we’re looking forward to it.”

That message has been central to Galway’s preparations, with the squad determined to embrace the occasion while ensuring their routine remains unchanged.

Following Galway’s open training session, where hundreds of young supporters gathered to meet the players ahead of Sunday’s final, Higgins admitted it was a reminder of the excitement surrounding the occasion.

“It’s lovely and it’s a great crowd here,” she said. “There’s loads of young boys and girls here and they’re excited and look forward to it just as much as us. It’s nice to be able to meet them and take photographs and give them a few signatures.”

While Galway’s sole focus remains fixed on Sunday’s final, Higgins believes one of the county’s greatest strengths has been its ability to blend proven performers with young players making the step into senior inter-county camogie.

“We’re lucky to have girls that are familiar with Croke Park, familiar with All-Ireland finals, and it’s a privilege to be able to say that.

“There’s always youth and new squad members being added all the time, so we’re just trying to build on that.”

It’s been an exceptional year for Higgins, leading Athenry to All-Ireland club success in January alongside fellow county teammates Kayla Madden, Sabina and Olwen Rabbitte, and Laura Freeney.

Higgins picked up club player of the year for her performances and believes repeated appearances in major fixtures help players deal with the occasion.

“The more finals you can get to and the more finals you can play in, the better you can manage your nerves and your mindset.

“When we go back to a club, you’re so focused on the club scene, and the minute we’re just focused on the intercounty part of it.

“I suppose it’s completely different with club and county, but pressure-wise or nerves-wise, they’re probably intertwined.”

The pathway from underage success into senior camogie has also remained a key part of Galway’s continued competitiveness.

The county has enjoyed a strong season across the underage grades. The U-16s successfully defended their All-Ireland title, the minors reached another final, while the U-23s fell narrowly short in their semi-final.

“That’s where everybody starts out – U-14s, U-16s, minors, even U-23s,” Higgins said. “They’re flying it and that’s what we need. We need the U-18s to be pushing on and driving it because they’re the girls that are coming up and helping us in the next year or two.”

That progression is already visible within the Galway squad, with younger players continuing to challenge the established members of the team.

“Some of the girls starting on our team are U-23 members. Having the two panels intertwined is brilliant. You need it as well because you can see the youth coming through and management can bring those players into the senior camp.”

From the heart of Galway’s defence, Higgins has also seen the benefits of continuity, alongside the likes of Róisín Black, Ciara Hickey and Rachael Hanniffy. Netminder Sarah Healy, winner of three All-Stars, is also a mainstay in a defensive unit that has developed a strong understanding over a number of seasons.

“We’re playing together for long enough now that we’re familiar with each other and the roles that we play. Thankfully we’re doing alright so far this year, so hopefully we can push on again.”

The semi-final against Kilkenny was a tough game, but Galway’s defence was tougher, resisting the Cats’ challenge even when at a numerical disadvantage.

“Any time we play Kilkenny, we always know it’s going to be a physically tough game and there are always going to be hard battles.

“There wasn’t too much in it at half-time. I’m just happy that in the second half we came out on top.

“If you have tough group games and get a tough semi-final as well, it’s building momentum into the All-Ireland.”

The generation of young supporters present in Kenny Park last Thursday may have included multiple future Galway stars. Higgins herself remembers being in their shoes, as she understands the significance of Sunday’s occasion.

“I remember being their age looking up to the girls when they were in the 2013 All-Ireland.

“It’s about creating memories. All the girls here seem to be looking forward to it and enjoying it.”

For Higgins, Galway’s challenge against Cork is not only defending their title, but continuing a cycle of success that allows the next generation to dream of following in their footsteps.