Derrygonnelly Ladies are one step away from an All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Final, but their Captain, Andrea Gordon, says the focus is firmly on the next game and nothing else.

After travelling to London to topple Round Towers in the quarter-final last weekend, the Harps have another long trip to Kilkenny to face Tipperary and Munster champions Mullinahone.

It is another step into the unknown for this Harps side and for Gordon and Co. all they can do is prepare as well as possible.

Knowing little about the opposition means Derrygonnelly can focus on getting themselves in the best condition for the game.

“We mainly focus on ourselves and we look back at our games and our performances and how we can improve ourselves because you don’t really know anything about teams.

“When you are playing in Fermanagh you sort of have a fair idea who you are going to be marking, what they are about, who the key players are.

“Management is probably looking into them and they will sort out the match-ups but when you get to this level everybody is going to be a big challenge and every game is a step up.”

Gordon feels Derrygonnelly have stepped up as they have progressed as well and knows that will need to continue this weekend.

“We felt that, as we progressed through Ulster and then into the All-Ireland. You have to focus on yourself and make sure you are in the best possible position you can be in when you are going into the game

“You keep trying to think, ‘It’s just another match, just another game’, and you’re just hoping that you can develop on the work-ons that we have pulled from previous games and try and implement them into the game.”

Victory

And the progression game on game was seen in the Round Towers victory, according to Gordon: “I think just everybody stepped up their game from the Ulster Final performance.

“There was a lot more running in us, and we had a wee bit more composure on the ball.

“We were solid at the back and able to get the ball moved out quickly and once you get it to Eimear [Smyth] you’re always fairly confident you are going to come out with a score.”

While the win was the main thing to take from the trip to London, another standout was the travelling support.

“It was an amazing experience to be there and the support was phenomenal. When we were getting off the bus and to see the crowd of people and your family there, it was just unbelievable, and it helped to drive us over the line.

“People have been so good in all the support they have been giving us, and it does make a difference when you can hear people cheering you on from the sides.”

And the Harps Captain is expecting another large travelling contingent this weekend as the team look to create more history for the club.

“When you see the number of people that made the effort to go to London, I’d say there will be a fair few down in Kilkenny as well, so we are looking forward to having our people down there supporting us.

“We are focusing on our history. Just to get this far is a massive achievement, but just to think you are two games away from the ultimate prize is phenomenal, but you have to keep a bit grounded and play it a game at a time.”