by Therese O'Callaghan
Evening Echo
Friday, 13th September 2002

It is press night in Pairc Ui Rinn and naturally enough most of the attention spirals towards the senior team.

But down in the other half of the pitch the junior team quietly go through their paces as they come to the end of their build-up to Sunday's All-Ireland final against Kilkenny.

Nora Ahern politely finishes pucking the sliothar and immediately starts talking about the great honour it is to be part of the double-take in GAA headquarters.

Captain Nora is from the Fr O'Neills club and would love to make her first game in Croke Park a winning one.

"This will be my first time playing there. I was a sub in 1997 but I know everything has changed so much since then. In fact we are going to the stadium on Saturday to have a look around and get our bearings."

"It is great to be captain, especially when you get to an All-Ireland final. It is something I would dream of and to lift the cup would be just unbelievable."

These are times that Ahern has lived for. Generally regarded as one of the finest centre-backs in the county she says that they will dwell on their own performance and not bother too much about the Cats' team.

"Kilkenny are strong and fast, but we will stick to our own game plan. Let them worry about us. I have great belief in my own team. We are very strong and have worked a lot on our backline and have proved so far in the championship that we are able to hold any forwards that come our way."

"At midfield we have two very hard workers in Emer O'Farrell and Val O'Keeffe who, as well as defending, are also capable of taking their scores."

But Ahern has no hesitation in saying that the winning and losing of this All-Ireland final rests with their forward line.

"The key to winning is in our attack. Hopefully they will have the game of their lives on Sunday. They all have unbelievable individual skill - what we need is for them to do it collectively. We will have to take as much scores as possible."

This number six will push herself to the limit. Directly behind her filling the full-back slot is friend and club mate Liz Sweetnam.

"We have a great understanding. It is such a fillip to have Liz behind me because she is in top form and is having a marvellous season. When she is coming out from the backs she knows where I am and I know what she is going to do."

Ahern has heart and character in abundance. On Sunday she will be driven by the huge belief she holds in the Cork cause.