Moate duo glad they returned to Westmeath fold as big day looms

Moate team-mates Michelle Malone and Patrice Keogh admit that they were a little apprehensive about returning to the ladies senior squad this season after a few years away from inter county football. However it didn't take long for them to realise that things were different this time around. "Within a few minutes of walking through the door at our first meeting we were told in no uncertain terms that the squad was there to win an All-Ireland," Michelle said. "In the middle of winter being told that we were going to win an All-Ireland - and here we are days away from a final. It's amazing." For wing forward Patrice, the thing that most impressed her on their return was the professionalism of the set up. "As the training and the games progressed we saw that their was a serious team and great management and support network in place. We realised that this (All-Ireland success) was really achievable." The only blot on Michelle and Patrice's season was Moate's loss to Kilbeggan Shamrocks in the final of the intermediate championship last month. Patrice said that victory on Sunday would be the perfect way to erase any lingering disappointment. "The county has done so much for both of us. When it came to the club games our confidence was way up. We felt so physically fit, our speed and agility was better. It wasn't the result we were looking for, but at the same time we were delighted for Triona and Fiona Claffey. We are all together for one now and that is what county is all about. You put your clubs aside and come together for Westmeath to win an All-Ireland. We are really looking forward to Croker. We say to ourselves that we could finish playing now because we are happy out. When I started playing football I would have done anything to play in Croke Park and it's great to see that it is so achievable. It really is a dream come true," added Patrice. Westmeath vice captain Fiona Claffey from Kilbeggan is one game away from the type of season that many players only dream about. With division four, provincial, and intermediate club championship medals already safely tucked away in her beside locker, Fiona admits that victory over Cavan in this Sunday's All-Ireland intermediate final would be the icing on the cake of a year that has had many more highs than lows. "We are over the moon. To get to an All Ireland final after working so hard all year, and the fact that it is in Croke Park, makes it all the more special." Now in her seventh year with the senior ladies team and almost in the veteran category, at least in terms of big match experience, Fiona (23) is as well qualified as any member of the squad to pinpoint the secret to the squad's success this year. "There is a totally different mentality. The girls have been travelling from all over for training, from Tralee, from Dublin, from Galway. The lads (co-managers Peter Leahy and Alan Mangan) have worked really hard from the start of the year. The year before we had a slow start, we didn't have a manager until after three league games were played, whereas this year we were in training right after Christmas and had a gym plan in place for each girl. Everybody started to believe as the year went on that we could make to the All-Ireland final."