Clara Daly is hoping to secure another All-Ireland medal for her household at Croke Park on Sunday when she plays for Tyrone in the ladies football intermediate decider against Leitrim (13:45 BST).
Her brother Callum was part of the Red Hands’ All-Ireland Under-20 triumph over Kerry at Croke Park in May two months after captaining Omagh CBS to their retention of the Hogan Cup at GAA headquarters.
Clara will match Callum in making two appearances at the home of GAA this year when she takes to field this weekend as she was part of the Tyrone squad edged out by Kildare in the National League Division Two Final in April.
“Being in Croke Park twice in the one year…it’s something most people don’t go through in their lifetime. I’m buzzing to go back,” says Daly, who like her brother plays for the Omagh St Enda’s club.
Despite the league final defeat, Tyrone had already secured a Division One spot for 2025 and Clara believes that competing against better teams next season will only improve the Red Hand ladies.
‘You can see the dedication she puts in’
Callum sees first hand the commitment Clara gives to her sport and is full of admiration for his sister’s work ethic and indeed that of all the Tyrone ladies squad.
“Being at home you can see all the dedication that goes into her preparation which includes the sleeping and the food,” he says.
“I see her at Garvaghey [Tyrone GAA Centre of Excellence] as well when I’m up with the U20s and she’s put in a really big effort and hopefully they can win at the weekend.”
Asked for any tips he might give his sister in advance of Sunday’s game, Callum replies: “She doesn’t need much advice now as she’s played at Croke Park, but I suppose the advice I got was don’t let the occasion overcome you and play your normal game.”
Clara’s first sporting passion wasn’t gaelic football but showjumping and the Omagh woman’s successes in that equestrian endeavour included winning the Supreme Championship in her age group at the prestigious Dublin Horse Show as a 12-year-old.
“I did showjumping from about the age of eight and I was really involved and doing a lot of pony shows all over Ireland and England.
“Football was just a little bit of my life back then. Something I liked to do with my friends but now it’s everything.”
Her switch to football began in earnest when she was 15 and “really just took off from there”.
“I just loved the whole community being involved in the club and it just kind of overtook the horse riding and football then seemed to come to me with doing my A Levels and going to university.
“Being up in Belfast, I was able to play football with the university and able to travel down for training. There’s a lot more time and commitment involved with the horses.”
As for this weekend’s contest, Daly is convinced that the Red Hands can atone for their league final defeat.
“Last time it didn’t work out. We were unfortunate but we now know what to expect. I really think we’ve a chance and I’ve high hopes.”
Clara Daly,Croke Park,Callum Daly,Ireland
