Tyrone’s Eilise McCrory and Aoife Kelly have etched their names into history, becoming the first pairing from the county to reach an O’Neills.com All-Ireland 4-Wall Senior Doubles Final after a hard-fought semi-final victory over Kilkenny. The Breacach and Loughmacrory duo delivered a composed and tactical performance to secure their place in Saturday's showdown against reigning champions Galway (2pm, Croke Park).
McCrory admitted that while the performance on the day looked polished, their preparations had not always suggested such an outcome.
“Everybody is saying we played really well, but if you had seen us on Wednesday, you wouldn't be so sure. But it worked out on the day, and we're very happy to be through and to be up against Galway once again.”
McCrory (below) found an excellent low serve and persisted with it to great effect.
“My thoughts were just to stick with it - if it's working, don't change it. It's a serve that I haven't really practised throughout the years. Everybody that I play is usually right-handed, so in singles you're definitely punishing that left-hand side, but in doubles you can afford to change it up a wee bit and try something that they're not expecting. I'm thankful that they were cracking off the side wall today.
“It was a tricky game in there, the court is not the easiest to play in either, and Kilkenny really stuck with us - they did a very good job as well.”
For Kelly, the magnitude of their achievement has yet to fully sink in. The historic nature of their final appearance is not lost on her, as they break new ground for Tyrone handball.
“I honestly just can't believe it. I texted Eilise this morning and said, ‘we have to do this.’ I think it's such a big thing for Tyrone - we're the first pair to get to an All-Ireland senior final, so I think that's a massive thing for Tyrone in general to get there.
“I think when you get that wee bit ahead, you can't take your foot off the pedal. It was in my head, ‘we need to keep going here, we need to keep going.’ I talk a lot to Eilise in the court, we laugh and joke and enjoy it, but you just have to keep going when you're that wee bit ahead.”
Now, they turn their attention to the biggest test of their careers - a clash with defending champions Galway, led by World Singles Champion Ciana Ní Churraoin and doubles partner Niamh Heffernan.
“Well, I would like to (win), that's always the aim. You never go into the court with the intention of getting beat, but we know what Galway are capable of doing. They have some key things in their game, but we have studied them before - we played them in the semi-final two years ago, so we kind of know what to expect. It’s just about keeping that intensity going again. We will try our best, that’s all you can do,” said Eilise.
For Kelly, the approach is simple - play without fear and enjoy the moment.
“I think next week, we just go and enjoy it, play handball. It's easy saying that right now—I said that today, ‘just go and enjoy it’—but I was a nervous wreck when I first went in there. But we're just going to go and enjoy it, we have nothing to lose.”
Watch the semi-finals on Spórt TG4 below: