Carlow Ladies Footballers take on Limerick this coming Saturday at 2pm in the Lidl National Football League Final.
We caught up with Clíodhna Ní Shé ahead of the clash for a good honest wide ranging discussion.
★ Support this podcast ★The Left Wing Back Podcast
Clíodhna Ní Shé speaks to us ahead of the Lidl National Football League Final
Carlow Ladies Footballers take on Limerick this coming Saturday at 2pm in the Lidl National Football League Final.
We caught up with Clíodhna Ní Shé ahead of the clash for a good honest wide ranging discussion.
★ Support this podcast ★- Duration:
- 19m
- Broadcast on:
- 02 Apr 2024
- Audio Format:
- mp3
(upbeat music) - Hello and welcome along to today's edition of the left-wing back podcast in association with our client partners, ArtsBias, TFT Traveler, Detailman's Rokarro, Paddahar Photography, Maurice Baraballamorphy, Ray Wheeling Limited, Porey Dunn Motors, Tababot Health Carro, and Cora Sports. So later on in the week, we're gonna focus more on the men's action, but today it's all about the ladies. And on Saturday, of course, the Carlo ladies' footballers take on Limerick in the Division 4 National League final. A key member of that panel for quite some time now is Cleenie Hay. I don't wanna hear from Clee, ahead of the big showdown, very shortly. We also wanna give a shout out to the Carlo senior Komogi team who retained their league status having defeated Kavan at the weekend by 4.11 to 2.10. It was a massive victory. Tings having a little bit turbulent at times in the Carlo Komogi camp, but they pulled out a bag when it matters to report their up on the website with some results of club fixtures as well, which Mona's Rangers and St. Mullen's in action in the Lenser League, while no breach saw off Ballon Killen. As you said, we'll have a more comprehensive episode coming a little bit later on in the week with the upcoming fixtures across the weekend. But today, as we said, the focus is all on the ladies, footballers and their league final on Saturday. So now, let's hear from Cleenie Hay. Well, looking ahead to Saturday and the Division 4 ladies football final. It is a two o'clock start in bar. It's Carlo up against Limerick and I'm delighted to be joined here on the left wing by podcast boy. A familiar face and a familiar voice, albeit a couple of years gone out this stage, this Cleenie Hay. You're very welcome once more House Things With You. Thanks, William Kevin and thanks for having me. We are all good. We're going forward to the weekend now. Good stuff. Well, listen, you've been on quite a journey since we last spoke on this particular podcast because to the best of my knowledge, you know, you'd racked up your 919 and finished hop score in the other end championship. I think the last time you met an appearance here, I know we might have spoken since maybe after a county final for a match video possibly or something along those lines. But you've had to enjoy a little bit of hardship on a personal level and I suppose from a team point of view. You want to talk to us about the personal point of view first? It wasn't the first setback, the cruciate injury. Talk to us about, I mean, that whole process and how difficult that was, firstly. Yeah, so it was my first and hopefully my last cruciate injury. So the January and January, 2023. So just after that 2022 season, unfortunately, told my cruciate and had to get surgery on my left knee. So yeah, it's about a nine month, well, physically it's a nine month process and then kind of your coming back then. So it's very, like it was very, very tough mentally and physically, but like I was very, very lucky. I have such amazing teammates, both at Club and County and everyone involved was so, so supportive and so helpful and my friends and family and everything. But like it was very, very tough and I found it really, really tough kind of mentally as well just with coming off the back of such a good season and like, we're kind of like we got to the honor and semi-final and went to extra time with Antrim. And then there was kind of a lot of anticipation, you know, even like personal performances were quite good as well. So it's a lot of anticipation going into the next season. And then I think I did maybe one or two training sessions under, we've new manager coming in, Ed Burke and I maybe did one or two training sessions under him and then told my cruciate. So that was me out for the season. So yeah, it was really tough and then coming back again, I found like after the nine months was tough 'cause you're nowhere near where you were when you did it and it took me a good few months to kind of get back to where I was kind of happy with my own performances and stuff like that. So yeah, I'm very, very glad to be over that and to be the other side of us. - Yeah. And something like that really does build mental resilience too, because like I've done a couple of knee injuries, I haven't done the dreaded cruciate but I've had a couple of surgeries and stuff on botanies and I know what the thought process is like. I know it can be a dark place mentally and stuff. And like one of the things I would have found is that the one thing that you love doing to kind of alleviate maybe ordinary day to day of stress is the one thing you can't bloody do, right? And from even a gym point of view, you kind of have to mind yourself even in the four few weeks. And that is very, very difficult. I would imagine that out of the nine month period, did you find the first couple of months in particular the most difficult or was it kind of just all difficult? - Yeah, the first couple of months were really tough. Like you're kind of concentrating on learning to walk again, which is like mad. And then the stuff in the gym you're doing is literally like mini band work. And you know, you're making progress, but it seems so minimal compared to like the girls that are training and kicking and running and stuff. So yeah, it's tough as well, just not being able to do things you're used to be able to do. And like there's, you can't go out and kick a ball with your friends 'cause you actually just can't kick a ball. So yeah, no, it was really tough. But as I said, like I was so lucky I had such a main team mates and friends and stuff. And since I did it, there's been a two or four of my really close friends in the club are after doing it as well. So, you know, the club is as well used to it. And like there definitely has been so, so good. So yeah, we're all over it now. So glad to see the back of that. - Yeah, that's good. And you know what really strikes me there? It's like, you know, the girls that were there for you that you were able to kind of return the favor and repay that then to them during their difficult moments. I mean, essentially that's what kind of a club thing and a team thing in general is all about. And it's more than just the moments on the pitch. It's those moments away from it as well that you're building unity and spirit and camaraderie. And above all, just being there for a mate like. - Yeah, that's the thing. Like I'd always say, like I would have underestimated the power of and the support that I had around me. You know, you kind of take these things for granted and like we're so, we get so involved in the county season as well that you don't get to give the time and the energy to the club. And then when something like that happens, you just, you really appreciate the people who you know are always going to be on your side and looking out for you and we had an amazing club manager at the time, Niall Barrett who was like, so, so, so good and so helpful. And you know, you're just so, so grateful to have those people in your corner who you know want the best for you no matter what. And they kind of have to see you as more than a player 'cause you like, there's not really much you can offer them but they're still there for 100%. So that was like, the support was amazing. And like, you really appreciate it. - Yeah, I promise I'll get the more positive stuff that I'll answer. But it's all heading that direction of course. 'Cause it's part of your story and it's definitely part of the stories since we last spoke on this particular podcast. Anyway, but if I can take it to, we'll say last year's honor and something final then with Carlo and there's such a crucial moment that, you know, obviously it looks like it's a goal and it's a blatant one. And then you end up losing the game. We're back to a position I suppose from your point of view that is quite familiar. I mean, that's not going to be an easy thing either. So you put all the work in and it don't mean to be making entirely about you when I notice that type of person you are either. But you're very much part of the story. You're a key player. Something like that happens. You've worked so hard to get back and then you're back, you know, licking your wounds again all of a sudden. And I imagine as difficult as things were when you're out injured, you know, in the moments after that game that can't have been easy either. Like, can people take that for granted a little bit? It all relies while there is a lot more important things going on in life, but how dark a place something like that can be in the days, I suppose, and maybe weeks after it, you know what I mean? Yeah, no, that was definitely a tough one to take. Like, it was more, we felt the injustice of it was tough. Like, we had, obviously, we should have put ourselves in a better position where something like that couldn't have affected the game as much or the outcome of the game as much. But we felt like we had done a lot right in that game and had that kind of gone our way. And the outcome, we would think would have been different. But, yeah, no, that was tough, like, to take, especially, you know, you put all your work in for the whole season and then it hinges on that kind of one moment and then it's over for the year. But, you know, we had, like, I really enjoyed the season last year and, like, there were some lows, but there were a lot of highs, so, like, look back on it. And it was good, you know, the days after the game were really hard and, you know, we nearly couldn't look at each other afterwards, it was so tough. But, like, you look back and you're just great. I was so grateful to have played a part in it and to have started to enjoy my football again. And I didn't really think of it myself as I put in so much work, like, we all put in so, so much work and dedicate, like, our whole lives to it that, like, say we all felt the exact same afterwards. But, no, it was, like, it was a great season and, like, there were some great moments and, like, unfortunately, that one didn't go away, but I enjoyed it so much. - Does it become part of your motivation then, whenever, you know, your aim and towards promotion, particularly in the league, which you now have achieved and you have a final, as you said, to look forward to on Saturday Common, but is that part of it? Or do you just park it and look at it as a blind canvas? - I suppose, park it as much as we can. I feel like what we learned the most is that which everybody knows, but, like, it's still hard to take 'cause that, like, referees will make their decisions and there's actually nothing we can do about it. And you kind of just need to separate your feelings towards the referee or their decisions and just concentrate on what you're doing. And maybe I suppose now not that we left ourselves anywhere good room last week, but to not leave yourself in a position that a referee's decision can affect the game because, like, had we done all the things differently in that game, that moment might not have mattered as much and, you know, we had left chances behind. So, you know, to kind of do everything in our power to put ourselves in a position where we're in control and that we can control the controllables. So, I suppose we've learned from it more so than dwelling on it. - What's the lead there when it comes kind of full circle and appreciate what we're talking about and other than challenging semi-final versus a league semi-final? - Like, I mean, it's still a major part of your season in terms of what your goals are, I'd imagine. You wanna get out of vision four, right? And you're looking at a championship not out two, but you've got the hard take of that particular moment and then we're deep in the injury time. And it's a very good ball that you put in as well, by the way, I don't think you're here 20 people talking about that and that's not to take away if you may, when he's moment either, but the ball in was super. That's what your head as that ball goes in and then as the ball hits the back of the net. How is that for you then? When you think of maybe a few months previous where it's not so pleasant? - God, it was very surreal. Like, it all happened very quickly. I know, I just, I had the ball and I looked up and I saw that schnade and the lane were in there and, like, both very good under a high ball. So I was like, I'll hit it in and hope for the best. And when maybe it in the back of the net, I actually don't know what I felt pure, like confusion and excitement and stuff. And then there wasn't even time to process it. Thankfully, the ref blew the whistle straight away. So I find had people come and celebrate and stuff. And like a minute ago, you were upset we were two points down. So yeah, it was like, it was madness. It was the most kind of emotion, like crazy emotions I felt after a match. Like, it was just mad. It was, yeah, it was like, hard to describe. - Do you see parallels like you obviously started out, I think as a 16 or 17 year old back in 2017. And that's a lot of football to be playing in seven years, not different to Rachel who we've done in the last week or two, right? What do you see parallels between yourself, maybe at that particular point and where maybe you'd like from a one-eel is now? - Yeah, yeah, I suppose, like, in fact, when I started off the first year that I was playing on the adult team was one of the first years there had been an adult team in a while. So we were, we had a lot of, like there's a lot of girls on the team now that would have been there on, like, say, when I was minor, we had like myself, Shannon, Niford, Rachel, Sawyer and Roach and probably a few more, hope I'm not forgetting too many, but, you know, we were so young and like coming into that team, we just played as if we'd always been playing. Whereas now I feel like the minor girls coming in, there's like a very real core setup and like they're coming in and making a huge difference and adding so much to what we have. So I feel like, yeah, there are probably a few parallels but they're coming into like quite a well setup structure, I would say, and then like they're bringing so much like energy and kind of, like, I'd say some of us, like older girls, I'd say, not that, I'm very old, yeah, but we'd probably care so much and think about it 24/7 and like they come in with, in a breath of fresh air, which is really nice. - Yeah, and on individual basis, like, I'm nearly certain you would have been playing soccer as well at a pretty decent level, right? Correct me if I'm wrong, may have only likewise. So it's kind of, and I've got to say, a freakish, but there is an awful lot of similarities. - Yeah, I think maybe it was what the Wexford Youth's underage setup for the last few years and that I did play two seasons, I think, with the Wexford Youth and Women's National League. So yeah, and Megan Townsend, I think to my knowledge, was playing What Wexford Youth as well. So with you coming over from the soccer. - Yeah, yeah, and look, that's the name, Robert. So just looking ahead then to the game itself, is the pressure off now that, you know, you achieve promotion or obviously you want to go on wind this guy down taking notice or anything like that? - Yeah, definitely want to go wind this, you know, it's such a huge opportunity. I don't know, like I'm just so, so excited to play in a national final, you know, you see, I've been following probably like adult ladies football for the last 10, 15 years and you see the finals days going on like whether it be championship or league and just to be involved is so surreal. Like it's so exciting to be involved in the days that like they're posting about and stuff. You know, it's just such a huge opportunity and obviously it would give anything to win it. But I think they're like, we'll give it our best and hopefully come out on the right side of it. But it's a huge opportunity for us and we'll learn a lot from it and get a great experience. Like I think playing the semi final last weekend or the weekend before and I think had we not played our previous like championship semi finals, I don't know if we would have done what we had done. You know, we've learned from our experiences. So there's only stuff to gain from playing on Saturday and you know, hopefully if we put in a good performance we'll come out on the right side of it. - Yep, and from a emotional point of view, not that you will be massively concerned by this but I don't know if you do have any thoughts or sentiments but for it to have the TC CARA treatment on a YouTube stream is, and it's a pretty big deal. A lot of the guys we're looking at, Carlin and Leish in the league final and from a horror point of view at the weekend, like it's pretty good exposure. So in all the in-player pay-per-view streams have been in place for quite some time or had been, not so much to the same extent, never believed. But with this game being so readily available to the neutral observer and obviously to the people at Carlin as well who cannot get there. And obviously the message that we would send is where possible for people to get to bar on Saturday if they could. But if they can't and a lot of people can for their own personal reasons, I guess. I mean, this has to be a good thing, yeah? Yeah, no, it's great, like this is the first year. I think for the last two years, all national league matches were streamed and then this year they pulled that. So that was really disappointing. Like even, I know a few of my friends who are abroad and followers who really love to watch the games but just can't make it, like some of them, one of them was in Derry, you know, like you can't make it to every match. So they are really disappointed to see that service gone. So yeah, it's exciting to have a match streamed and that friends and family abroad and that can't make it to bar for various reasons can watch. And then like there seems to be a good buzz around the county in ladies football clubs anyway. I know I heard a few people are coming to, are planning on coming to bar. So, you know, it's really nice to have that. And like we do really feel support. Like I think it has been mentioned by Rachel and Adele in the last week or so on podcasts but like the support we have was immense. And it was actually, it was so nice. Like obviously we were delighted for ourselves and like personally we were happy to get like a reward for the work that we put in but also so nice to see all the support are so happy and finally give them something to be delighted about. You know, it was such a nice feeling to see everybody so happy for us and happy for them. Like they travel around the country to follow us and you know, it's so nice to give them something to be. So happy about it. - Yeah, it's Delhi. I did listen to Adele and the Trust Forelax podcast. And I mean, she's been some servant and you know, it's great for her to be able to play in a national final as well. One last thing just before I finish up on it and you have an excellent, which we're trying to really do appreciate it. What do you think the support is grown? Not just from this particular point of view that you've gotten to a final, but from my perspective, how I see it, there is a serious spread of clubs now involved with the county senior setup and that's not really been carried in Rylinder on Auckland's fault. They just happened to have been the dominant couple of teams for quite some time. But you see the representation now from clubs all across the county. I mean, that's got to lend itself to an increased support too, for obvious reasons. - Yeah, but I think it goes to show like the strides that are being made in Carolina and in football. Like I alluded back to that team that started when I started in 2015 or '16. Like it was, you know, there were a few, a few girls from different clubs, but for a few years there, it was like six or seven or five or six from both Olaf and Benekaritan Island kind of year on year, very much dominating. Whereas at the moment, like we have girls from every club who are just as, like who are more important, just as important as like, it doesn't matter what club you're from, like everyone is playing such a huge role. And there's such a big spread, as you said, like which is shows the work that's been done in different clubs. I think it really shows like that, that Carlos making serious strides in ladies football that we have girls like stars of the show from different clubs, which is amazing to see. - Yep. - And then sorry, as you said, it does bring like, we've supported from every club and I know that a lot of clubs are having a huge push to bring supporters to the matches. And then you get great support from the younger girls, like the younger girls playing on the county teams, which is lovely as well. - Yeah, it all lends itself in bringing things to right direction. We'll look, I hope things stay going in right direction for yourself, Clay, and all the girls. And the very best look on Saturday and indeed for the rest of the year, if we're not chatting before that, almost no worse. And thanks again to everybody who was your name, all right? - Perfect, thanks a million. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music) [BLANK_AUDIO]