Next Sunday the tiny parish of Mullagh in east Galway will be out in force in Croke Park to follow Sinead Cahalan as she leads out the county’s senior camogie team in their first All Ireland final appearance in ten years.

Twelve years ago another Mullagh player led Galway to their first and only success in an All Ireland senior camogie final as Imelda Hobbins from Gurtymadden received the O’Duffy Cup amid glorious celebrations.

Sinead Cahalan was a ten year old neighbour of Imelda Hobbins, living just two doors away when Galway won that title and now twelve years on, Gurtymadden is looking for the O’Duffy Cup again.

Receiving an All Ireland cup is something that Sinead Cahalan has already achieved as she led Galway intermediate side to glory in 2004. Sinead had earlier won an All Ireland Junior medal in 2003.

“But winning an All Ireland senior medal is what every one wants,” said the 22-year old teacher.

“There is awful disappointment in losing and this year we have taken the competition as eight steps to success. Every step had to be taken and now we face the eighth step with courage and confidence,” added Cahalan.

Sinead Cahalan is a player that was bred in sport and encouraged by her father Stephan, who is the vice chairman of Galway Hurling Board and a long-time activist of juvenile hurling in the county, Sinead started playing camogie in Mullagh at seven year of age.

“At the time we had a great senior club in Mullagh. I always looked up to Pamela Nevin, Imelda Hobbins, Emer Hardiman, Cora Curley and others, they were really great camogie players”.

At the age of thirteen Sinead had made her way onto the club senior team as she played her way up the ranks.

Cahalan has won Galway Under 14 and Under 16 titles with Mullagh and won an All Ireland Junior medal in 2003, All Ireland Intermediate medal in 2004 and was awarded a camogie All Star in 2005.

Her sister Cathriona also plays camogie with Mullagh, while her brothers Niall and younger brother Stephan play with Mullagh at different levels.

Looking ahead to Sunday, Sinead believes that Galway have the ability to finish the task ahead.

“The management have been fantastic all year and they have really encouraged us on. We are now on the final step and while Cork have a lot of experience and we have huge respect for them, we have a job to do and we will have no fear, because we aim to win,” added Cahalan.

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