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Player Profiles
Championship Profiles 2011
Some top intercounty stars chatted to camogie.ie during championship 2011
Name: Elaine Aylward
Club: Mullinavat
County: Kilkenny
Occupation: Bank Official
Honours with camogie: Senior National League, Ashbourne Cup, All Ireland Junior, U16 & U18 Leinster titles, Senior Leinster title, 2 Gael Linn. All Star 2009.
Favourite sporting moment: Winning last year's Senior Co final with Mullinavat, (after a long time trying) was unforgettable. Winning the National League in ’08 was also a great feeling, as it was our first big success as a Senior panel.
Worst sporting moment: The 2009 All Ireland final defeat to Cork is a day I’d like to be able to forget
Favourite camogie player: Anne Downey
Favourite sports star: I loved watching Seanie McMahon with Claire in the 90s.
Biggest sporting influence: Definitely my parents, they put my first hurl in my hand when I could hardly walk and have driven and followed me around the country ever since.
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games- I always pack my gear bag the night before any game. I don’t think there’s any particular reason for it or if it makes any difference but I have to do it.
Last book you read: Steven Gerrard's autobiography after being in Anfield earlier in the year.
Last film you watched: The Fast & The Furious was on last Saturday night so I watched that.
Favourite holiday destination: Anywhere with plenty of sunshine. I’ve never been to Australia or South Africa but both are on my list of places to get to when I finish playing Camogie
Best piece of sporting advice: Always have the hurl & ball in your hand & practise practise practise the basics as they’re the skills you use most often.
Favourite music: Not a major music fan but I’l listen to whatever comes on the radio!
Pre match tune- what song do you listen to before every game: Lately its Florence & the Machine- Dog Days but it varies depending on how I’m feeling.
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level?: I did a lot of Athletics when I was younger and still toy with the notion most years of going back to it. I actually have a few All Ireland medals from Cross Country & Track Field, so I’d like to think I might have been some use at that.
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie: I’d love to see the handpass goal done away with, I don’t think it does anything for the game and is a nightmare for most goalkeepers & backs!. The playing of the hurl from behind is also a rule we could do without in my opinion. Overall I think Camogie would benefit greatly by adapting the general playing rules of hurling.
Sports event you would most like to see: Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, I could take in the rugby and some of the sunshine!!
Name: Nicola Morrissey
Club: Lismore
County: Waterford
Occupation: Primary School Teacher
Honours with camogie: Underage county titles, 2 Senior County Titles, Munster Intermediate Cub title 2010, National League winners Div 4, 3 and 2, Junior and Intermediate Munster titles with Waterford, Junior and Senior Interprovincial Team, Junior Gael Linn title with Munster 2011!
Favourite sporting moment: Captaining the Waterford Camogie Team this year
Worst sporting moment: Losing two All Ireland finals in a row
Favourite camogie player: Hard question! There are lots of great camogie players out there especially on the Cork, Wexford and Kilkenny teams!
Favourite sports star: Lar Corbett and Katie Taylor
Biggest sporting influence: My teachers in primary and secondary school and coaches with my club and county.
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games?
No I’m not superstitious about things like that!
Last book you read: The Pact by Jodi Picoult
Last film you watched: Bridesmaids (It was hilarious)
Favourite holiday destination: Gran Canaria
Best piece of sporting advice: Give it 100% and have no regrets!
Worst piece of sporting advice: It’s not the winning it’s the taking part that counts!!!
Favourite music: enjoy listening to Kings of Leon, The Script, The Wanted!
Pre match tune- what song do you listen to before every game: Don’t have any particular song!
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level? Badminton
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie- more camogie matches on television and also more matches to be played in grounds such as Semple Stadium etc.
Sports event you would most like to see: To go and see the Olympics in London
Danielle Smith
Club: St. Vincents
County: Dublin
Occupation: Trainee Accountant, KPMG
Honours with camogie: 1 Leinster Under 18 Championship, 2 Senior Club Championship titles
Favourite sporting moment: Winning the All-Ireland Feile with St. Vincents
Favourite camogie player: Rena Buckley and Jane Adams
Favourite sports star: Brian O Driscoll and Anthony Daly!
Biggest sporting influence: My first manager, Hugh O’ Neill
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games- I’m not very superstitious but I always stretch my left leg before my right!
Last book you read: The Club
Last film you watched: The Guard
Favourite holiday destination: Holiday home in Puerto Pollenca, Majorca
Best piece of sporting advice: Believe in yourself, work rate is the one thing you can control and earn your luck.
Worst piece of sporting advice: That any one player might be greater than the team.
Favourite music: Everything
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level? Gaelic football and Triathlons
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie: A rule against playing the stick as it penalises the player who is out in front and full integration of the Camogie Association into the GAA.
Sports event you would most like to see: Dublin Hurlers to win an All-Ireland Championship.
Name: Elaine Dermody
Club: Drumcullen
County: Offaly
Occupation : Underwriter with FBD Insurance
Honours with camogie: 11 County titles with my club, 4 Leinster Junior Club titles, Leinster U18 A title, All Ireland Junior Championship, All Ireland Intermediate Championship, 1 Gael Linn Senior medal, 2 Soaring Star Awards, UCD Player of the Year 2003
Favourite sporting moment – Winning 2 All Irelands in Croke Park was special but winning the Leinster U18 A title in 1999, beating Kilkenny in the final was unbelievable because they had a fabulous team at the time and it was Offaly’s first underage honour at ‘A’ level
Worst sporting moment – Losing 2008 Junior All Ireland final and also the 2003 All Ireland Junior Club Final
Favourite camogie player – Eimear McDonnell and Jane Adams
Favourite sports star – Dan Carter (New Zealand Rugby player) he is so talented and he looks great too !!!!!!!
Biggest sporting influence (i.e was it a coach, sibling, parent etc who influenced you most etc)- My parents for introducing me to the sport and after that Eileen Kinsella
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games- (e.g favourite headband, particular hurl you must use, songs you must listen to) - Not really but in the team photograph I must always stand to the left of Michaela Morkan but I am not sure why!!
Last book you read - … Not a big reader but I think it was ‘My Sister’s Keeper’ – very sad
Last film you watched – The Kings Speech
Favourite holiday destination – Crete loads of sun and fun!
Best piece of sporting advice - Always give 100% because your team mates deserve that and practice the basic skills as much as you can because they are the ones you will need the most
Worst piece of sporting advice – To think that any one player is more important than the team.
Favourite music – bit of everything - Rhiana, Adele , Snow Patrol, U2
Pre match tune- what song do you listen to before every game – No particular tune although Black Eyed Peas ‘I gotta feeling’ does get aired on the team bus from time to time!
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level? I would like to think I could have played tennis but not sure I would ever have made Wimbledon!!
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie- I would like our Association integrated fully into the GAA as I think this would bring the promotion of the game to a higher level. Also I would like to see the rule where a player can play your hurl from behind abolished because I think this penalises the player who has gotten out in front of their marker
Sports event you would most like to see – Rugby World Cup Final (preferably Ireland v New Zealand so that Tommy Bowe & Dan Carter would both be on the same pitch at the same time!!! )
Julie Kirwan
Club: Moneygall
County: Tipperary
Occupation: Primary School Teacher
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Honours with camogie:
1 All Ireland medal 2004
National league 2004
Munster final winners 2004, 2005, 2010
All Star 2005
Club junior, intermediate and senior B county final winners
Favourite sporting moment: celebrating all Ireland final win!
Worst sporting moment: losing an All-ireland final in 2005!
Favourite camogie player: Philly Fogarty
Favourite sports star: Paul O Connell
Biggest sporting influence: my parents, Ramie Ryan
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games:
Not really, I’m pretty quiet on the morning of a big game, like to get gear ready early and be organised.
Last book you read: Books by Harlen Coben and Cathy Kelly
Last film you watched: Bad Teacher
Favourite holiday destination: New York but a break anywhere is great!!
Best piece of sporting advice: Practice makes perfect!
Favourite music: Beyonce, Bryan Adams, Take That
Pre match tune- what song do you listen to before every game: Lipstick by Jedward!;)
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level?
Synchronised swimming!
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie: More consistent refereeing and get rid of the hand pass goal!!
Sports event you would most like to see: Rugby world cup
Name: Ursula Jacob
Club: Oulart- The Ballagh
County: Wexford
Occupation: Accounts Administrator, One Card Solutions
Honours with camogie : 2 Senior All Ireland Titles ’07, ’10, 3 National League Titles ’09-’11, 1 All Star Award ’10, 2 Senior Leinster Titles, Joint Top Scorer in Camogie Championship ’10, 2 Ashbourne Cups (Captain in ’10), 3 Colleges League Medals, 4 Ashbourne All Stars, 1 Fresher All Ireland Title, Fresher ‘Player of the Tournament’ Award, WIT Overall Sports Star 2010, WIT GAA Senior Camogie Player of the Year, 2 Leinster Club Titles ’09, ’10, 7 Senior Co. Titles with Oulart, All Underage titles from u-12 to U-18, 1 Pan Celtic All Ireland, 1 Kilmacud Crokes All Ireland.
Favourite sporting moments: Winning the Senior Camogie All Ireland in 2007 with Wexford, Winning my first County Championship with my club, Oulart The Ballagh and winning my first Ashbourne Cup with WIT…All brilliant and unforgettable wins!
Worst sporting moment: Losing the Club All Ireland Semi-Final to Killimor 2010.
Favourite camogie player: Fiona Dunne (Wexford and Oulart The Ballagh)
Favourite sports star: Fiona Dunne (Wexford), Tony Browne, Eoin Kelly (Tipperary), Brian O Driscoll (Rugby).
Biggest sporting influence:
My parents, brothers and sister have influenced me most since I started playing. They have all played at the highest level so the advice and support they have given me has helped me greatly when needed.
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games?
In the warm up I have to finish off with a score over the bar before the team huddle. Also, I get my mother to bless me and all my hurls before every game!
Last book you read:
Mickey Harte’s Book “Presence is the only thing”.
Last film you watched:
Hangover 2…Great Film! “I wish Monkeys could skype!”
Favourite holiday destination: I’ve only been abroad a few times so Dubai was definitely my favourite destination but hopefully I’ll get to travel around South Africa some day. I better start saving!!
Best piece of sporting advice:
First of all I think it is important to get involved in Sport as you make so many friends (I have friends all over Ireland because of Sport!). Hard work is important in any sport whether it is at training or during matches. Perfecting the skills of Camogie by practising yourself is extremely important. All you need is a ball and a wall!
Worst piece of sporting advice:
To think you know it all. You can get competitive advantage by taking advice from many different people such as coaches, trainers and other experts. You can learn from watching and talking to other sports people and camogie players and teams. Also, being complacent about games or other teams- there is no guarantees in sport!
Favourite music
Beyonce, Rihanna, Take That, Westlife, Mary Black.
Pre match tune- what song do you listen to before every game:
I always listen to a couple of songs before each game- Take That (Greatest Day), Delta Goodrem (Together we are one) and Michael Bolton (Go the distance) are a few of these.
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level?
If I wasn’t playing Camogie, I’d love to play tennis at a high level. I think I’ll just have to settle with watching Wimbledon instead though!
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie-
Two things I would like changed in Camogie would be handpassing goals and the introduction of a closed season in Camogie. Although the handpassing rule benefits forwards greatly I think it would be more beneficial to everyone if you were only allowed use your hurl to score goals. Also, I think the Camogie Association should have a rule similar to hurling where there is an “off-season”. This will prevent any player from burnout or over-training.
Sports event you would most like to see:
Wimbledon Men’s Final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal!(Federer all the way though!) and Oulart (Men or Women) in the Club All Ireland Finals.
Poc Fada 2011
Sara Murphy, a star with the Kerry Minor Camogie Team and the newly crowned Munster Camogie Poc Fada Champion chats about her camogie career to date, Poc Fada and pre-match rituals ahead of this weekend’s Poc Fada championships in the Annaverna Mountains on Saturday July 30th.
Name: Sara Murphy
Club: Causeway. Currently plays with Newcastlewest in Limerick.
County: Kerry
Occupation: Student
Honours with camogie: National Feile na nGael Title with Kerry 2008. All Ireland Gold medallist in Community Games long puck 2008. U14 Co. League medal 2008. Player of the year in 2009 & 2010 at Causeway Comprehensive School. Munster Colleges 7’s Schools Title 2010.
Honours with Poc Fada: County Champion 2010 & 2011 and Munster Champion 2011
What do you like about Poc Fada? I competed for the first time in 2010 and I didn’t know what to expect in Thurles, but the experience I got from that day, helped me this year in making sure I got around the corners without pucking the ball out over the line! Seeing all the players really determined to give it a go in their county jerseys was cool. I had two little girls in Kerry jerseys as my markers which was also very cool!
What was it like winning the Munster Poc Fada title? It was so close at the end with only a puck of a ball between Limerick and myself that I was delighted to win it! I couldn’t believe it when I was told by the organisers that I had it. The gear we got is fab too! To represent your county is the ultimate honour, and being the first Kerry player to do it makes it even more special.
Favourite sporting moment: Winning a national Feile title with the girls I grew up with was a great feeling as we were beaten in the 2007 final by a point.
Worst sporting moment: Losing the 2007 Feile Final!!!
Favourite camogie player: Mary O’ Connor
Favourite GAA player: Lar Corbett
Favourite sports star: Rory McElroy
Biggest sporting influence: My brothers all play and our tussles in the back garden would really stand to you in a match. My parents are hugely supportive of me and being the only girl in the family, they make sure I don’t get left out!
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games: A grey hair-band has to be worn at all matches.
Last book you read: How many miles to Babylon by Jennifer Johnston
Last film you watched: Bridesmaids
Favourite holiday destination: Im only 16, so I haven’t travelled that much yet! However, I love the west of Ireland so it has to be Galway.
Best piece of sporting advice: Always try your best at training and listen to your trainers.
Worst piece of sporting advice: To be aggressive. It’s not me.
Favourite music: Rhiana
Pre match tune- what song do you listen to before every game: I don’t have one
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level? Football! Being from Kerry it’s only natural I suppose that I would play it. I play Junior with Causeway and really enjoy it as the fitness you have helps in Camogie!
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie- Dropping the hurley to pass the ball and more TV coverage for the games.
Sports event you would most like to see: The Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
What are your sporting ambitions for 2011: To do my best in the Poc Fada!
Niamh Breen ahead of her side's opening championship fixture
Name: Niamh Breen
Club: St. Laurences
County: Kildare
Occupation: Teacher
Honours with camogie: All Ireland Junior A 2010, Leinster Junior Championship 2010, National League Div. 4 2009. 8 Club Championships, Leinster Club Championship 2004. Represented Ireland in Camogie/Shinty International 2009, 2010.
Favourite sporting moment: Winning the All Ireland and Leinster Championship last year.
Worst sporting moment: Losing Leinster Finals with the club.
Favourite camogie player: Gemma O’Connor
Favourite sports star: Katie Taylor
Biggest sporting influence: My Dad and a lot of the coaches I have had over the years.
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games: I wouldn’t have any pre-match rituals or superstitions but I do like to get my bag organised the night before a game, its more a habit than a ritual.
Last book you read:
Last film you watched: Hangover 2
Favourite holiday destination: A break away anywhere is nice but preferably somewhere where there is sun!
Best piece of sporting advice: To practice the skills of the game as much as you can, ‘practice makes perfect’
Worst piece of sporting advice:
Favourite music: I listen to all types of music but current favourites would be Kings of Leon.
Pre match tune- what song do you listen to before every game: I don’t have any particular song.
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level? I would always have liked to be able to play tennis but don’t think i would have been anywhere near playing at a high level!
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie- To get rid of the handpass goal rule and to see more games televised throughout the year as it would increase the profile of the game further.
Sports event you would most like to see: I would like to go to the Olympics and also the Rugby World Cup.
Some top intercounty stars chatted to camogie.ie during championship 2011
Name: Elaine Aylward
Club: Mullinavat
County: Kilkenny
Occupation: Bank Official
Honours with camogie: Senior National League, Ashbourne Cup, All Ireland Junior, U16 & U18 Leinster titles, Senior Leinster title, 2 Gael Linn. All Star 2009.
Favourite sporting moment: Winning last year's Senior Co final with Mullinavat, (after a long time trying) was unforgettable. Winning the National League in ’08 was also a great feeling, as it was our first big success as a Senior panel.
Worst sporting moment: The 2009 All Ireland final defeat to Cork is a day I’d like to be able to forget
Favourite camogie player: Anne Downey
Favourite sports star: I loved watching Seanie McMahon with Claire in the 90s.
Biggest sporting influence: Definitely my parents, they put my first hurl in my hand when I could hardly walk and have driven and followed me around the country ever since.
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games- I always pack my gear bag the night before any game. I don’t think there’s any particular reason for it or if it makes any difference but I have to do it.
Last book you read: Steven Gerrard's autobiography after being in Anfield earlier in the year.
Last film you watched: The Fast & The Furious was on last Saturday night so I watched that.
Favourite holiday destination: Anywhere with plenty of sunshine. I’ve never been to Australia or South Africa but both are on my list of places to get to when I finish playing Camogie
Best piece of sporting advice: Always have the hurl & ball in your hand & practise practise practise the basics as they’re the skills you use most often.
Favourite music: Not a major music fan but I’l listen to whatever comes on the radio!
Pre match tune- what song do you listen to before every game: Lately its Florence & the Machine- Dog Days but it varies depending on how I’m feeling.
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level?: I did a lot of Athletics when I was younger and still toy with the notion most years of going back to it. I actually have a few All Ireland medals from Cross Country & Track Field, so I’d like to think I might have been some use at that.
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie: I’d love to see the handpass goal done away with, I don’t think it does anything for the game and is a nightmare for most goalkeepers & backs!. The playing of the hurl from behind is also a rule we could do without in my opinion. Overall I think Camogie would benefit greatly by adapting the general playing rules of hurling.
Sports event you would most like to see: Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, I could take in the rugby and some of the sunshine!!
Name: Nicola Morrissey
Club: Lismore
County: Waterford
Occupation: Primary School Teacher
Favourite sporting moment: Captaining the Waterford Camogie Team this year
Worst sporting moment: Losing two All Ireland finals in a row
Favourite camogie player: Hard question! There are lots of great camogie players out there especially on the Cork, Wexford and Kilkenny teams!
Favourite sports star: Lar Corbett and Katie Taylor
Biggest sporting influence: My teachers in primary and secondary school and coaches with my club and county.
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games?
No I’m not superstitious about things like that!
Last book you read: The Pact by Jodi Picoult
Last film you watched: Bridesmaids (It was hilarious)
Favourite holiday destination: Gran Canaria
Best piece of sporting advice: Give it 100% and have no regrets!
Worst piece of sporting advice: It’s not the winning it’s the taking part that counts!!!
Favourite music: enjoy listening to Kings of Leon, The Script, The Wanted!
Pre match tune- what song do you listen to before every game: Don’t have any particular song!
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level? Badminton
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie- more camogie matches on television and also more matches to be played in grounds such as Semple Stadium etc.
Sports event you would most like to see: To go and see the Olympics in London
Danielle Smith
Club: St. Vincents
County: Dublin
Occupation: Trainee Accountant, KPMG
Honours with camogie: 1 Leinster Under 18 Championship, 2 Senior Club Championship titles
Favourite sporting moment: Winning the All-Ireland Feile with St. Vincents
Favourite camogie player: Rena Buckley and Jane Adams
Favourite sports star: Brian O Driscoll and Anthony Daly!
Biggest sporting influence: My first manager, Hugh O’ Neill
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games- I’m not very superstitious but I always stretch my left leg before my right!
Last book you read: The Club
Last film you watched: The Guard
Favourite holiday destination: Holiday home in Puerto Pollenca, Majorca
Best piece of sporting advice: Believe in yourself, work rate is the one thing you can control and earn your luck.
Worst piece of sporting advice: That any one player might be greater than the team.
Favourite music: Everything
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level? Gaelic football and Triathlons
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie: A rule against playing the stick as it penalises the player who is out in front and full integration of the Camogie Association into the GAA.
Sports event you would most like to see: Dublin Hurlers to win an All-Ireland Championship.
Name: Elaine Dermody
Club: Drumcullen
County: Offaly
Occupation : Underwriter with FBD Insurance
Honours with camogie: 11 County titles with my club, 4 Leinster Junior Club titles, Leinster U18 A title, All Ireland Junior Championship, All Ireland Intermediate Championship, 1 Gael Linn Senior medal, 2 Soaring Star Awards, UCD Player of the Year 2003
Favourite sporting moment – Winning 2 All Irelands in Croke Park was special but winning the Leinster U18 A title in 1999, beating Kilkenny in the final was unbelievable because they had a fabulous team at the time and it was Offaly’s first underage honour at ‘A’ level
Worst sporting moment – Losing 2008 Junior All Ireland final and also the 2003 All Ireland Junior Club Final
Favourite camogie player – Eimear McDonnell and Jane Adams
Favourite sports star – Dan Carter (New Zealand Rugby player) he is so talented and he looks great too !!!!!!!
Biggest sporting influence (i.e was it a coach, sibling, parent etc who influenced you most etc)- My parents for introducing me to the sport and after that Eileen Kinsella
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games- (e.g favourite headband, particular hurl you must use, songs you must listen to) - Not really but in the team photograph I must always stand to the left of Michaela Morkan but I am not sure why!!
Last book you read - … Not a big reader but I think it was ‘My Sister’s Keeper’ – very sad
Last film you watched – The Kings Speech
Favourite holiday destination – Crete loads of sun and fun!
Best piece of sporting advice - Always give 100% because your team mates deserve that and practice the basic skills as much as you can because they are the ones you will need the most
Worst piece of sporting advice – To think that any one player is more important than the team.
Favourite music – bit of everything - Rhiana, Adele , Snow Patrol, U2
Pre match tune- what song do you listen to before every game – No particular tune although Black Eyed Peas ‘I gotta feeling’ does get aired on the team bus from time to time!
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level? I would like to think I could have played tennis but not sure I would ever have made Wimbledon!!
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie- I would like our Association integrated fully into the GAA as I think this would bring the promotion of the game to a higher level. Also I would like to see the rule where a player can play your hurl from behind abolished because I think this penalises the player who has gotten out in front of their marker
Sports event you would most like to see – Rugby World Cup Final (preferably Ireland v New Zealand so that Tommy Bowe & Dan Carter would both be on the same pitch at the same time!!! )
Julie Kirwan
Club: Moneygall
County: Tipperary
Occupation: Primary School Teacher
Honours with camogie:
1 All Ireland medal 2004
National league 2004
Munster final winners 2004, 2005, 2010
All Star 2005
Club junior, intermediate and senior B county final winners
Favourite sporting moment: celebrating all Ireland final win!
Worst sporting moment: losing an All-ireland final in 2005!
Favourite camogie player: Philly Fogarty
Favourite sports star: Paul O Connell
Biggest sporting influence: my parents, Ramie Ryan
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games:
Not really, I’m pretty quiet on the morning of a big game, like to get gear ready early and be organised.
Last book you read: Books by Harlen Coben and Cathy Kelly
Last film you watched: Bad Teacher
Favourite holiday destination: New York but a break anywhere is great!!
Best piece of sporting advice: Practice makes perfect!
Favourite music: Beyonce, Bryan Adams, Take That
Pre match tune- what song do you listen to before every game: Lipstick by Jedward!;)
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level?
Synchronised swimming!
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie: More consistent refereeing and get rid of the hand pass goal!!
Sports event you would most like to see: Rugby world cup
Name: Ursula Jacob
Club: Oulart- The Ballagh
County: Wexford
Occupation: Accounts Administrator, One Card Solutions
Honours with camogie : 2 Senior All Ireland Titles ’07, ’10, 3 National League Titles ’09-’11, 1 All Star Award ’10, 2 Senior Leinster Titles, Joint Top Scorer in Camogie Championship ’10, 2 Ashbourne Cups (Captain in ’10), 3 Colleges League Medals, 4 Ashbourne All Stars, 1 Fresher All Ireland Title, Fresher ‘Player of the Tournament’ Award, WIT Overall Sports Star 2010, WIT GAA Senior Camogie Player of the Year, 2 Leinster Club Titles ’09, ’10, 7 Senior Co. Titles with Oulart, All Underage titles from u-12 to U-18, 1 Pan Celtic All Ireland, 1 Kilmacud Crokes All Ireland.
Favourite sporting moments: Winning the Senior Camogie All Ireland in 2007 with Wexford, Winning my first County Championship with my club, Oulart The Ballagh and winning my first Ashbourne Cup with WIT…All brilliant and unforgettable wins!
Worst sporting moment: Losing the Club All Ireland Semi-Final to Killimor 2010.
Favourite camogie player: Fiona Dunne (Wexford and Oulart The Ballagh)
Favourite sports star: Fiona Dunne (Wexford), Tony Browne, Eoin Kelly (Tipperary), Brian O Driscoll (Rugby).
Biggest sporting influence:
My parents, brothers and sister have influenced me most since I started playing. They have all played at the highest level so the advice and support they have given me has helped me greatly when needed.
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games?
In the warm up I have to finish off with a score over the bar before the team huddle. Also, I get my mother to bless me and all my hurls before every game!
Last book you read:
Mickey Harte’s Book “Presence is the only thing”.
Last film you watched:
Hangover 2…Great Film! “I wish Monkeys could skype!”
Favourite holiday destination: I’ve only been abroad a few times so Dubai was definitely my favourite destination but hopefully I’ll get to travel around South Africa some day. I better start saving!!
Best piece of sporting advice:
First of all I think it is important to get involved in Sport as you make so many friends (I have friends all over Ireland because of Sport!). Hard work is important in any sport whether it is at training or during matches. Perfecting the skills of Camogie by practising yourself is extremely important. All you need is a ball and a wall!
Worst piece of sporting advice:
To think you know it all. You can get competitive advantage by taking advice from many different people such as coaches, trainers and other experts. You can learn from watching and talking to other sports people and camogie players and teams. Also, being complacent about games or other teams- there is no guarantees in sport!
Favourite music
Beyonce, Rihanna, Take That, Westlife, Mary Black.
Pre match tune- what song do you listen to before every game:
I always listen to a couple of songs before each game- Take That (Greatest Day), Delta Goodrem (Together we are one) and Michael Bolton (Go the distance) are a few of these.
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level?
If I wasn’t playing Camogie, I’d love to play tennis at a high level. I think I’ll just have to settle with watching Wimbledon instead though!
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie-
Two things I would like changed in Camogie would be handpassing goals and the introduction of a closed season in Camogie. Although the handpassing rule benefits forwards greatly I think it would be more beneficial to everyone if you were only allowed use your hurl to score goals. Also, I think the Camogie Association should have a rule similar to hurling where there is an “off-season”. This will prevent any player from burnout or over-training.
Sports event you would most like to see:
Wimbledon Men’s Final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal!(Federer all the way though!) and Oulart (Men or Women) in the Club All Ireland Finals.
Poc Fada 2011
Sara Murphy, a star with the Kerry Minor Camogie Team and the newly crowned Munster Camogie Poc Fada Champion chats about her camogie career to date, Poc Fada and pre-match rituals ahead of this weekend’s Poc Fada championships in the Annaverna Mountains on Saturday July 30th.
Name: Sara Murphy
Club: Causeway. Currently plays with Newcastlewest in Limerick.
County: Kerry
Occupation: Student
Honours with camogie: National Feile na nGael Title with Kerry 2008. All Ireland Gold medallist in Community Games long puck 2008. U14 Co. League medal 2008. Player of the year in 2009 & 2010 at Causeway Comprehensive School. Munster Colleges 7’s Schools Title 2010.
Honours with Poc Fada: County Champion 2010 & 2011 and Munster Champion 2011
What do you like about Poc Fada? I competed for the first time in 2010 and I didn’t know what to expect in Thurles, but the experience I got from that day, helped me this year in making sure I got around the corners without pucking the ball out over the line! Seeing all the players really determined to give it a go in their county jerseys was cool. I had two little girls in Kerry jerseys as my markers which was also very cool!
What was it like winning the Munster Poc Fada title? It was so close at the end with only a puck of a ball between Limerick and myself that I was delighted to win it! I couldn’t believe it when I was told by the organisers that I had it. The gear we got is fab too! To represent your county is the ultimate honour, and being the first Kerry player to do it makes it even more special.
Favourite sporting moment: Winning a national Feile title with the girls I grew up with was a great feeling as we were beaten in the 2007 final by a point.
Worst sporting moment: Losing the 2007 Feile Final!!!
Favourite camogie player: Mary O’ Connor
Favourite GAA player: Lar Corbett
Favourite sports star: Rory McElroy
Biggest sporting influence: My brothers all play and our tussles in the back garden would really stand to you in a match. My parents are hugely supportive of me and being the only girl in the family, they make sure I don’t get left out!
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games: A grey hair-band has to be worn at all matches.
Last book you read: How many miles to Babylon by Jennifer Johnston
Last film you watched: Bridesmaids
Favourite holiday destination: Im only 16, so I haven’t travelled that much yet! However, I love the west of Ireland so it has to be Galway.
Best piece of sporting advice: Always try your best at training and listen to your trainers.
Worst piece of sporting advice: To be aggressive. It’s not me.
Favourite music: Rhiana
Pre match tune- what song do you listen to before every game: I don’t have one
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level? Football! Being from Kerry it’s only natural I suppose that I would play it. I play Junior with Causeway and really enjoy it as the fitness you have helps in Camogie!
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie- Dropping the hurley to pass the ball and more TV coverage for the games.
Sports event you would most like to see: The Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
What are your sporting ambitions for 2011: To do my best in the Poc Fada!
Niamh Breen ahead of her side's opening championship fixture
Name: Niamh Breen
Club: St. Laurences
County: Kildare
Occupation: Teacher
Honours with camogie: All Ireland Junior A 2010, Leinster Junior Championship 2010, National League Div. 4 2009. 8 Club Championships, Leinster Club Championship 2004. Represented Ireland in Camogie/Shinty International 2009, 2010.
Favourite sporting moment: Winning the All Ireland and Leinster Championship last year.
Worst sporting moment: Losing Leinster Finals with the club.
Favourite camogie player: Gemma O’Connor
Favourite sports star: Katie Taylor
Biggest sporting influence: My Dad and a lot of the coaches I have had over the years.
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games: I wouldn’t have any pre-match rituals or superstitions but I do like to get my bag organised the night before a game, its more a habit than a ritual.
Last book you read:
Last film you watched: Hangover 2
Favourite holiday destination: A break away anywhere is nice but preferably somewhere where there is sun!
Best piece of sporting advice: To practice the skills of the game as much as you can, ‘practice makes perfect’
Worst piece of sporting advice:
Favourite music: I listen to all types of music but current favourites would be Kings of Leon.
Pre match tune- what song do you listen to before every game: I don’t have any particular song.
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level? I would always have liked to be able to play tennis but don’t think i would have been anywhere near playing at a high level!
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie- To get rid of the handpass goal rule and to see more games televised throughout the year as it would increase the profile of the game further.
Sports event you would most like to see: I would like to go to the Olympics and also the Rugby World Cup.
May Events
2012
5
| Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 x All Ireland Minor C Final 05/05/2012 All Ireland Minor C Final Saturday, May 5th 2.00pm, Naas, Down v Kerry read more Caman to Croker 05/05/2012 Caman to Croker Activity Day Saturday May 5th 48 Camogie Clubs from around the country will attend Croke Park for an Activity Day of Go Games blitzes and GAA Museum Tour read more | 6 x Irish Daily Star Leagues 06/05/2012 Irish Daily Star Leagues Irish Daily Star Division One Final Cork v Wexford, 2.00pm Semple Stadium, Thurles * double header with GAA Allianz Hurling League Final Irish Daily Star Division Two Final Derry v Meath, 2.45pm, Pairc Tailteann, Navan, 2.45pm * double header with GAA Christy Ring championship read more | |
7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 x |
21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
