Cronin expecting great battle

Ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland final between Kerry and Dublin, Eamonn Fitzgerald caught up with Kingdom full back Kayleigh Cronin

It’s back to Croke Park once more on Sunday next for yet another clash between these two great rivals. Kerry LGFA are looking to avenge last year’s defeat. I went along to sunny Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday morning last for the very well attended ‘Meet and Greet’ event with the Kerry team where I sought the opinions of people about the big game. It was wonderful to see all the players there and the young supporters getting their photos with the Kerry senior stars. The queue for An Cailín Rua was extra-long. No wonder, as she will be anything but the Cailín Ciúin on Sunday where we all hope that she will score freely once more. Louise has been the guiding light for many years with Kerry. In the recent All-Ireland semi-final she scored a massive 1-10, enough to win many games, but team managers Declan Quill and Darragh Long know only too well that even a high score by the forwards isn’t enough if the defenders concede crucial scores.

I got to interview one of the key defenders on Sunday, Kayleigh Cronin, an AllStar full back in 2022.

Eamonn Fitzgerald: It must have been a huge honour for you, Kayleigh, to win an All-Star last season.

Kayleigh Cronin: Yes, it was and very

MINDING THE MIDDLE:

Kayleigh Cronin has cemented her place in the middle of Kerry's full back line, despite arriving to the sport later than most.

Eóin Noonan/ Sportsfile.

unexpected too. It was extra special when two players from the same club won All-Stars. I was delighted for Gavin White, such a great player for several years now. What is surprising that he had not got one well before this. He deserved it with all those massive games he played, but those are individual awards. This here is all about the team, the Kerry team bidding to beat the Dubs in the final.

EF: You must be playing football for many years to reach the standard of an All-Star.

KC: Not at all. My early sporting life was in athletics until 2019. Of course, I went to all the Dr Crokes matches because my family were and are huge Crokes supporters. My father played with them for many years. The Crokes ladies kept on to me to join them and that was just four years ago playing with my club, and then I got going with Kerry.

EF: You have had great days, but I’m sure there have been disappointments as well?

KC: 100%. You win some and on other days it just doesn’t happen for you. What is important is that you learn from everything you do, and sport is no different. You just get on with it after the initial disappointment. I was one of the Kerry people disappointed last Sunday after the men’s final. We were gutted for the boys. They were very close to winning and they had it in their hands. They can hold their heads up high with what they have achieved already. We were the for the boys last week and I know they are always supporting us. We know that we have a great battle ahead of us. We have met this Dublin team twice this year and won both. But every game is different, and it’s an even shot for both teams on Sunday. Of course, you must go into every game positive and that’s how we are approaching this All-Ireland final.

EF: How much of a loss is your brilliant captain, Síofra O’Shea.

KC: Yes, there is no doubt about that. Síofra is a massive player, but she is still our captain and is playing a huge role off the field. That won’t change. She will continue to play a captain’s role in our meetings, in the dressing room getting us out on the field in a positive frame of mind, and she will be right with us on the sideline. We are her team and aim to rally to her leadership.

EF: Is full back your favourite position?

KC: I found it very strange at first but was glad to wear the jersey for club or county, and I settled into it. Realistically I am better off there than going up beyond the halfway line. I wouldn’t be as confident up in the forwards.

EF: Do you feel intimidated by Croke Park?

KC: I have no fears about Croke Park. It’s a fine big field with loads of space just like this one here in the Fitzgerald Stadium where I am speaking to you right now. It suits us. We can play our expansive game style.

EF: What do you know about your opponents?

KC: Plenty. We know they are good with several experienced All-Ireland winners and All-Stars. We beat them twice this year, but they were close games, and they have given us plenty of heartache over the years. They will have fire in their bellies on Sunday, so we will have to bring our best game to Croke Park.

EF: What will your main role be on Sunday?

KC: Minding the centre and keeping the other girls informed how an attack is developing. My connection with our goalkeeper is vital.

EF: You are going to be playing in front of 50,000 spectators and it will be hard to be heard over that deafening noise…

KC: Yeah, communication with our keeper is vital. Butler is excellent and a very reliable goalkeeper. We have our own signals, but I won’t be telling anyone about those. There are several ways of communicating, even if the din is enormous.

EF: Thanks Kayleigh and keep up the great form at number 3.

KC: Thanks Eamonn.