Staying calm and focused kept Leitrim's Player of the Match Ailbhe Clancy on track

Taking a penalty on the biggest stage of Ladies football is something that should get you nervous, no? Well Ailbhe Clancy didn’t feel the pressure as Sunday’s TG4 LGFA All-Ireland Intermediate Final Player of the Match calmly slotted home Leitrim’s decisive third goal against Tyrone in Croke Park!

After a round of interviews, the Observer finally managed to get a moment with the Glencar Manorhamilton woman and asked about the nerves of taking that vital spot-kick. But Ailbhe revealed that she relied on her soccer background, which saw her represent Ireland in the World University Games, when it came to the big moment.

“It was actually fine, I thought I’d be a bit more nervous but it was actually ok,” recounted Ailbhe, “We practice them a wee bit in training, I know it doesn’t really compare to taking them in an actual final but no, I was calm, collected and just wanted to make a good connection with the ball. My soccer experience was probably a good help with that but just glad it went in the back of the net.”

Her first goal was very different from the deliberate action of a penalty, a spur of the moment leap, turn and shot - yet even that was worked on by the meticulous Leitrim management: “That is something we do, we had a similar situation against Wexford - we know that Gucks has that distance.

“But just if it does drop short, we have to be ready to get the rebound so it was just something we knew was potentially going to happen. Just delighted to get the ball and put it in the back of the net.”

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So maybe it was no surprise that Leitrim kept so calm and assured under enormous pressure as Ailbhe revealed the focus was always on the next ball: “We probably missed a couple at the beginning of the match, I know I did anyhow but we weren’t really panicking, just calm and just focused on the next ball. 

“You have to back yourself that you have that ability - everybody kicks wides in a match so you just have to back yourself and keep going and give the ball to the person in the best position.”

That focus extended to the build-up with Leitrim’s players keeping their feet on the ground: “Luckily I’ve been busy the last few weeks between work and everything else so I didn’t really have too much time to think about the build-up which was good. People were asking but you just have to enjoy it.

“This is where you want to be, what you want to do so just enjoy it, take it in your stride and not get too focused on the nerves or the media or the big occasion, it is just another game of football. I think that showed today because Jonny has us really well prepared. We were focused and backed ourselves and believed in ourselves.”

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Ailbhe also thanked the Leitrim fans for their amazing support in Croke Park: “It was absolutely amazing hearing them cheering us on, it really helped us make that extra run, go for that extra ball. To hear them cheering and see the flags, it was amazing and a deadly experience.”

As for realising what they’ve done, Ailbhe said “I think it might take a few days to sink in. I don’t want to leave her, leave the girls, leave the dressing room but it has just been an amazing day. I think we might celebrate for a while. We’ll worry about the club championship down the line!”