EXPERIENCE counts at this stage of the club season – and Naomh Abán know all about long journeys and high-pressure championship days. Now, the Ballyvourney club are one victory away from reaching the All-Ireland intermediate final after adding a Munster title to their county crown.

This group has been here before. Their current journey echoes 2022, when Naomh Abán claimed the Cork junior A title, beat Oola to win Munster, and reached an All-Ireland junior decider against Salthill-Knocknacarra.

They travelled far that year, eventually falling short in Fethard, but they banked invaluable know-how. Three years on, that same core group – bolstered by younger talent – is using those lessons to fuel another All-Ireland tilt.

If experience helps, Naomh Abán needed every ounce of it in Mallow. Leading Kerry’s Clounmacon/Moyvane by three points deep into six minutes of injury-time, the concession of a late goal sent the Munster intermediate decider to extra-time. That could have rattled a lesser side. Instead, Naomh Abán produced their most impressive spell of the season. They held their opponents scoreless across both extra periods and secured a 2-11 to 2-8 victory, preserving an undefeated campaign and earning a trip north to face Ulster champions Knockbride (Cavan) in Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final.

Manager Noel McDonagh was thrilled with how his team responded when everything was on the line.

‘I learned more about my team in that 20 minutes of extra-time than over the past two years,’ he told The Southern Star.

‘At full time, the girls gathered together, knew what they needed to do and put their shoulders to the wheel. The fact Clounmacon/Moyvane didn’t score in extra-time tells you everything.’

Captain Colleen Phelan led from the front, but McDonagh emphasised it was a collective show of mental strength.

‘Every one of the girls has shown their determination throughout this year’s county and Munster championships,’ he added. ‘The relief after winning the final was unbelievable – and yes, we certainly celebrated it that night!’

Given their past campaign, McDonagh can feel the parallels with 2022, but he knows this is another level entirely.

‘It is a bit similar I suppose,’ he reflected. ‘But whenever you get out of Munster you are at a completely different level, no matter what you experienced in the past.’ Travelling doesn’t faze this group; it never has.

‘We travelled all over the county in 2022. The same panel is still there, with a few younger players. They are comfortable with all the travelling and it’s going to be a great journey up there. They know what’s in front of them and they’ll be ready.’

A major factor in their rise has been the club’s commitment to supporting the team. Naomh Abán were early adopters of the ‘One Club’ model, and McDonagh says the benefits are clear.

‘Whatever the players wanted – strength and conditioning, gym access, facilities – they got. That’s been a huge plus for the squad.’

Another constant is their great support.

‘We have had huge crowds wherever we played,’ McDonagh said.

‘I guarantee you next day in Ulster we’ll have the same support we had in Mallow. The girls really appreciate it – they say themselves it’s like having an extra player on the pitch.’