WHILE her twin Philip prepares for an All-Ireland semi-final as Kilbrittain hurling captain, Kate Wall has an All-Ireland senior club camogie final of her own to look forward to as her adopted club, St Finbarr’s, take on Galway’s Athenry this Sunday in Croke Park (4.15pm).

Wall has started every game in the Barrs’ run to the capital, scoring 2-13 across the campaign. Her performance in the Munster final was particularly eye-catching as she hit 2-4 from play in a 3-11 to 2-12 win over Waterford’s De La Salle.

The Togher club has been through the wars to reach Croke Park: two extra-extra-times against Newcastle West and Loughgiel Shamrocks, as well as wins over Blackrock, Inniscarra, St Catherine’s and Killeagh on their way to a second successive county title.

Wall transferred to the city club ahead of the 2023 season, and while these are special days for her, she hasn’t forgotten her West Cork roots.

‘I was living in Cork city and that was kind of it really. Myself and my friends would be close to a lot of the Barrs girls,’ Kate told The Southern Star.

‘I played with Kilbrittain all my life and they are a huge part of why I love camogie so much. Being so successful is down to what I was taught down there.

‘I’ve only been with the Barrs for three years. They are an incredible club and it’s great to be part of it, but I would be nothing if it wasn’t for Kilbrittain camogie and what they did for me the whole way up along.’

AIB ambassador Kate Wall (St Finbarr’s) ahead of the AIB Camogie All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Final between Athenry and St. Finbarr’s. AIB ambassador Kate Wall (St Finbarr’s) ahead of the AIB Camogie All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Final between Athenry and St. Finbarr’s. (Photo: INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

There are other strong West Cork links in the Barrs line-up, not least the Cahalane sisters – Méabh, Orlaith, Gráinne and Kate – daughters of Castlehaven’s Niall Cahalane and Ailish Cleary.

Kilbrittain are enjoying their own resurgence, and Wall is thrilled for the people of the parish, particularly her brothers, Philip, the current club captain, and Jamie, who managed the side a few seasons ago.

Just last month, both twins played crucial games on the same day. While Kate faced Loughgiel in the All-Ireland semi-final on Saturday, November 29th, Philip led Kilbrittain to a Munster final win over Kilrossanty.

‘We had so much success underage and I have so many fond memories. My twin brother Philip and Jamie are hugely involved with Kilbrittain GAA. I’m still a Kilbrittain woman. My heart would go sideways at the lads’ games,’ she said.

‘They’ve had an unbelievable year and I’m so proud of them all. I’m delighted they finally got what they deserved. They’ve been knocking on the door for a long time.

‘Me and Philip playing on the same day was magical. We’re so close being twins, and we’d always be at each other’s games analysing them. I was thrilled for him. They’ve had a lot of disappointment in Kilbrittain and worked really hard. This year they’re reaping the rewards.’

While Kate focuses on Sunday’s All-Ireland final, Kilbrittain hurlers still have another game to play before Christmas in their own All-Ireland semi-final. There’s no room yet for festive thoughts in the Wall household.

‘It’s hectic, but it’s brilliant. My family are obsessed with GAA and love it,’ she said.

‘To be playing at this time of year is special. To be in such important games – that’s what you want from sport. There have been many years in my house where things have gone against us, so it’s really nice for things to be going our way, for both of us.

‘Our whole lives are taken up by it and I’m delighted for Philip to be captain. He acts like one all the time! For years he’s given his absolute all to Kilbrittain GAA. I’m delighted for him and the lads. They’re a brilliant bunch and they really deserve it.’

Kate Wall celebrates scoring a goal in the Munster final. (Photo: Tom O'Hanlon/INPHO)

Back to the Barrs: their task against Athenry will be no picnic. The Galway champions have beaten the last two All-Ireland winners – Sarsfields (Galway) and Dicksboro (Kilkenny) – en route to the decider.

‘To play in Croke Park with your club is just so special,’ said Wall.

‘You’ll have a few days of being in awe of going there, but then you settle down. Obviously, you’re going to be nervous. It’s a huge day but you just want to play the game in front of you. We’re no strangers to a Galway side in Croke Park.

‘Athenry are a very good team and we’ll get to know who their main players are for match-ups, but we have to focus on ourselves. If we can be the best we can be, we’ll be confident and throw the kitchen sink at it. That’s been our approach – going with our own strengths. If you win your own battle, the game takes care of itself. It’s so exciting.’

The Cork champions certainly have the forwards to trouble Athenry. Top scorers Sorcha McCartan (6-53), Orlaith Cahalane (6-16) and Wall have all shown inter-county quality, while Keeva McCarthy (2-36) has been clinical too.

‘When you have the forwards we have, someone will step up every day,’ Wall said.

‘There’s no pressure because everyone is doing their best. One day you give it to the girl in the best position, another day you’re the one in that position. In the Munster final, I kept finding myself in the right place.

‘When you have forwards like Sorcha and Orlaith giving you that supply, you won’t miss. Orlaith was huge in the semi-final. You could name all of them – even Ciara Golden coming in from midfield or wing-back to get that winning score at the end. It’s a real team effort. People might not believe that, but that’s why we’re so hard to stop. If you shut down one person, someone else will step up. It’s a great sign of a team.’

With an All-Ireland crown on the line before Christmas, Kate and the Barrs are one game away from history, and another special day in the Wall family’s incredible year.