IT has been something of a Sister Act for the camogs of Ballymacnab this season.
The maroon and whites won the senior county title in August after an eight year gap before seeing off Antrim's Loughgiel in their Ulster Club opener at the start of October.
Their journey continued as they progressed through an epic weekend last month, defeating Derry's Banagher on a Friday evening in Ballymena to lift the Ulster title and then following that up with a one-point win over British champions London Tara two days later.
But what is really unique about the Armagh outfit is that, of the 35 player squad, over half is made up of nine sets of sisters.
The past two games have featured a full house for four sets of the nine, with two other sets half represented. However, as joint captain Aileen McParland says, "we are all sisters in this squad”.
“Everyone pushes the other 34, and while there will always be that little bit extra spark when it comes to sisterly love, or rivalry at training, the team bond this year has been outstanding.”
The club’s other joint captain, Aoibhin O'Hare, added: "Our nine sets are either backing each other up or ready to tear each other apart, so it all makes for great craic at training.
“They don't always travel home together even when they've arrived at training together!"
Ballymacnab face Munster champions Clanmaurice of Kerry in the All-Ireland junior semi-final in Banagher, Offaly on Sunday, and ’Nab manager Maco Hughes hopes their opponents are seeing double by the time the game comes around.
