Kieran Donaghy-esque football combo giving SETU Waterford Wildcats captain Helena Rohan a renewed boost

It's been a long, long time since Helena Rohan became a "kitten cub" as she puts it.

The SETU Waterford Wildcats captain started her basketball journey with the club all the way back when she was six years old and at 30, she will be leading her team out this Sunday against Pyrobel Killester in the MissQuote.ie Champions Trophy final with the goal of lifting senior silverware for the first time in her career.

And opportunity knocks for a Wildcats team waiting to bridge a gap dating back to the 2000-01 season when they clinched the league and cup double.

"It's 15 years since the club has been in a senior final and I think over 20 years since the club has won a final," says Rohan of one of the motivating factors for the team heading into Sunday afternoon's showpiece.

"There's been a lot of semi-final heartbreaks. We've been in the semi-final a few times, knocking on the door, so we've kind of been thereabouts the last few years and I think making a final was a really special moment for the girls.

"The club has so much history and it would be great to put our own mark with a bit of history as well, so I think that's what's kept us going all these years."

The other side is the sisterhood that has been built by a core of players who have been on the road together for what might feel like an eternity.

"I'm lucky enough to still play with some of my best friends that I've grown up with over the years," says Rohan.

"So that involvement as well there is a community aspect to Wildcats that keeps you in the club and you grow up with these people as well.

"I've been to some of these girls' weddings, I've held their children. It's just that community feel that we have, it kind of hooks you I guess."

And it was through recommendations from some