QUILL: Síofra is inspiring us off the field

Kerry’s joint manager Declan Quill has admitted that planning for Sunday’s All-Ireland final hasn’t been easy following the season-ending injury sustained by Síofra O’Shea, but he says the team captain is still playing her part off the pitch.

The young Southern Gaels forward tore her ACL the weekend before the semi-final victory over Mayo, a match which Kerry won in impressive fashion.

“When we first got the news confirming that she damaged the cruciate, our first thoughts were for Síofra herself,” Quill told this journalist at the team’s meet and greet at the Fitzgerald Stadium. “It’s a huge personal blow and she was playing so well.

“Her main pre-occupation was around the team, which is typical of this great sportswoman.

“As managers we had to deal with it and in fairness to the girls, they responded so well, knowing they have to lift their own games all the more to win.

“As for Síofra, she won’t be able to play but she’s playing an amazing game off the field. She’s still the inspiring captain, willing on the team and that is what it’s all about.

“There is some compensation in that it happened some time ago and we had to prepare for an All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo without her. The team worked extra hard to win it for Síofra and look at the way they dominated that first half yet had plenty in the tank for the second half Mayo comeback.

“They are a great bunch of ladies and they will give it everything on Sunday next.”