Dervla Higgins eyes perfect end to dream year as Athenry chase All-Ireland glory

From winning the All-Ireland Camogie title with Galway to helping her club, Athenry, to reach Sunday's decider, it has been quite the year for Dervla Higgins.

Nominated for Player of the Year, the Galway defender helped the Tribeswomen stop Cork's drive for three-in-a-row, and will face familiar faces in Cork champions St Finbarr's in Croke Park.

Living in the town, Higgins can see the support from not only the community, but all of Galway in the lead-up to the final.

"It is nice to support your own. I do think a lot of clubs are, are wishing us well anyway, and looking forward to the game. Hopefully, they want us to win as much as we want to win ourselves."

It was a year to remember for Higgins, and bringing a 48-year wait for an All-Ireland for Athenry would cap it off.

"It's probably, it's a bit mad to be honest", said Higgins, looking back on 2025.

"I suppose winning the All-Ireland with Galway was massive. You know, it's the pinnacle of anyone's county career. It was a great win for us. So we really enjoyed that one.

To go back into a successful club season, winning the football and camogie with my club is massive. So, to be still going at this stage of the year, it's new surroundings for me and a privilege to be able to represent my club this weekend in the final.

"Each win has a story behind it, and they're all just special in their own ways. You know, winning with your county at an All-Ireland final here in Croke Park, it's a special day.

The atmosphere is electric. It's unreal. And then to be going back into a club and to win the county final with your club is just as special, if not even more special. You know, they're enjoyable, and they're so important in unique ways to themselves."

Having contested the last