Clare's Spillane stays grounded after Kilkenny upset

The Very Camogie League got off to an explosive start when Division 1A champions Galway were taken down by Tipperary last Saturday.

While that result and the three-goal margin was still being digested however, Clare pulled off what was arguably an even bigger shock less than 24 hours later, coming home strongly in the final quarter to defeat All-Ireland victors Kilkenny by two points.

The Cats had the majority of their big guns on show and were provided with a guard of honour on their first competitive outing since Aoife Prendergast lifted the O'Duffy Cup, but that was the last show of deference by the women in saffron and blue and there was no arguing the merit of the home side’s triumph in Cusack Park.

Ziyan Spillane’s performance was emblematic of the Clare approach, showcasing ferocious endeavour, boundless energy, great touch, her trademark lightning speed and clinical finishing when the opportunities were carved out.

It was a David v Goliath game but that is nothing new to the diminutive Spillane, who has joked in a past Q&A about being "only 4ft 2 apparently". The true measurement is 5’4’’, she reveals, though her dressing room colleagues will never accept that, in the interests of maintaining the ritual of a good slagging.

Either way, her mindset, will, elite athleticism and mastery of the sliotar and camán have made the 20-year-old a regular since coming into the senior squad three years ago.

The Feakle-Killanena clubwoman rightly enjoyed last weekend but it is clear that everyone in John Carmody’s group understands that if that is all they achieve this year, it will be worthless. Hence Spillane exhibiting a considerable sense of being grounded, while acknowledging it as invaluable affirmation of the work they are