Dicksboro Aims for Leinster Glory as Aoife Prendergast Leads Charge

Dicksboro is set to embark on another Leinster campaign, beginning with a match against Offaly senior champions Birr on March 10, 2024. The Kilkenny City club, fresh off their victory in the senior county championship, is aiming to build on their success from last season, when they clinched both the Leinster and All-Ireland titles.

The team recently secured their fourth county crown, a significant achievement following their loss in last year’s final to Piltown. For Aoife Prendergast and her teammates, reclaiming the county title has revitalized their spirits. “It was brilliant to win back the county title and it was a special one,” Prendergast said. “We had great celebrations after it too. We’ve built up a great rivalry with Piltown, as both teams bring the best out of each other, so it was great to get over the line.”

The competitive nature of club camogie in Kilkenny makes each title hard-earned. Prendergast emphasized the importance of this victory for inspiring younger players within the club. “Any time you can win the title, it is a great honour and it’s important for driving on the younger girls in the squad as well,” she noted.

Prendergast, who has made a name for herself as a formidable inside forward for both club and county, has recently adapted to playing in midfield. “I’m adaptable and I’ll go wherever I’m put, to be honest,” she explained. “Once I’m on the field, I don’t mind where I’m playing. The management are going to put you where they think best fits, and I’m enjoying it.”

Having witnessed all of Dicksboro’s senior successes since their first county title in 2019, Prendergast understands the challenges ahead. Despite captaining her county to an All-Ireland title, recent years have been marked by disappointments, including three consecutive All-Ireland quarter-final defeats to Dublin, Cork, and Tipperary. “We’ve been very disappointed with the last few years,” she admitted. “We hit huge highs before that, so that’s where we want to get back to. There is huge talent in Kilkenny.”

Prendergast acknowledged the ongoing conversation about the team being in transition but stressed they do not view this as an excuse. “We hope to see a turning point,” she said. With the success of the minors, who recently won the All-Ireland at Nowlan Park, she believes there is a strong foundation for future success. “We still have plenty of experience in our own squad, so with that mix we all just have to step up and drive it forward.”

As Dicksboro prepares for their upcoming match, the focus now shifts from recent accomplishments to the challenges that lie ahead. The semi-final against Birr will take place at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park in Birr at 14:00. Prendergast acknowledged the shift in mindset, stating, “All our focus was on winning a county title the last few weeks, and now we need to switch our focus.”

Reflecting on their previous experiences at this level, she noted, “We got a taste of success at this level before, so maybe that makes it a bit easier for us, but we still know that we need to be ready for the challenge that is ahead.”

With a place in the provincial decider at stake, Dicksboro is determined to make their mark in the upcoming match. “It’s a great position to be in a Leinster semi-final. We’ll cherish the occasion as we try to do Kilkenny proud and just focus on the game,” Prendergast concluded.