Clara hoping to complete ‘Daly double’ at Croker

A Talented showjumper in her teenage years, Clara Daly hopes to ride off from Croke Park this Sunday evening with a national GAA medal to her name.

The 20-year old Omagh St Enda’s player his enjoyed an excellent debut season with the Tyrone seniors having caught the eye of the management team during the course of her club’s run to Championship success last year.

Clara has made a seamless transition from the saddle to the football pitch in recent years and is savouring her involvement with the County at the top level of the game.

“ I started football quite late around 15/16 years old as I did a lot of horseriding before, and didn’t really play much youth football. I am really enjoying it. I really like the training and feel my game is coming on a lot.

“ It is a big step up. The game is a lot faster and the football is obviously a higher quality level. The games are fast paced so it is a big transition from playing club football at Intermediate level.

“ You notice a big difference in the standard. But is has definitely brought my game on and hopefully I will see the benefit at club football as well this season.”

Daly lined out in midfield for St Enda’s last term but has adapted well since being deployed by the county this year at full-back, and has played an integral role in the side’s unbeaten Division Two run.

Like the rest of her colleagues she is looking forward to Sunday’s assignment against Kildare at Croke Park in the League Final.

“ We are all buzzing. It will be my first time playing there so I can’t wait. We are undefeated going into this league final. We have been playing really well and the team has come together really well. We are really determined and will go into the match with high hopes. I think it’s going to be a great game.”

Clara is hoping to round off a memorable ‘Daly double’ at Croker this weekend, with her younger brother Callum having captained Omagh CBS to the Hogan Cup All-Ireland schools title over the recent St Patrick’s weekend. She jokes that it is time the household success was shared around a bit.

“ He (Callum) has been there twice now so I can’t let him get too far ahead of me. I was down at Croke Park for the Hogan Final and it was great to see Omagh win.

“ But I was thinking looking around the place that the next time I’m down here we will be playing ourselves which was an exciting thought. It was class to be there watching my brother lift the Cup and hopefully it will be us doing that next Sunday.”

Ladies football in Tyrone has endured its fair share of lean years and Daly believes Sunday’s date is a real shot in the arm for the game locally.

“ It’s great for all of us to get there especially for me in my first year. But it’s also great to see Tyrone Ladies featuring in games like this at Croke Park. Everyone is really excited. It’s a great step up.

“ Getting promoted to Division One was big for us. It shows we are on the right path. Next Sunday will be a massive occasion and you want to win that trophy. We have the fight in us to do that but Kildare will want to be doing the same thing.

“ They won’t be taking it easy and are going to come out all guns blazing. But we are going to do the exact same. We are prepared for it and really putting in the work. I think it will be a really good game.”