From Shane Curran’s homemade kicking tees to Dónal Óg Cusack’s sliotar manipulation, the tales of inventive GAA goalkeepers chasing the marginal gains that influence huge games are legendary.
Ciara Jackman possesses that same enterprising spirit and when the Gailltír goalkeeper runs out in Thurles on Saturday for the AIB All-Ireland club camogie intermediate final, chances are she’ll have her trusty hot water bottle with her.
It came in handy on a freezing cold March day at Croke Park in 2019 when she clutched to it like a lifeline to keep her fingers from seizing up. The Waterford representatives lost the intermediate final to Clonduff of Down that day but came roaring back 12 months later, beating St Rynagh’s to the title.
Almost two years on, the two clubs will meet in the intermediate decider all over again this weekend and with wind, rain and cool temperatures forecast, the hot water bottle is sure to make an appearance.
“I have it at most matches,” said Jackman. “We were only talking about it in training the other day that we felt we were fortunate en …
- January 6, 2022
