REIGNING ALL-IRELAND camogie champions Cork are getting set for life without three of their most celebrated players in 2015 but captain Anna Geary believes the onus is now on the squad’s younger members to step up to replace them.
Defender Joanne O’Callaghan has retired with six All-Ireland senior medals, Sara Hayes won five All-Ireland senior titles during her career while Jennifer O’Leary was part of four triumphant All-Ireland senior teams.
“Jennifer O’Leary announced her retirement and Joanne O’Callaghan would have announced it before Christmas,” outlines Geary. “I suppose two players like that that would have been fulcrums in the last decade. You do have to adjust.
“There’s going to be other players in different counties in the same situation. That’s the beauty of an inter-county team, nobody is irreplaceable. When you think of the calibre of players we’re losing, it’s disappointing.
“But it’s up to the younger players to make that step up. It’s up to them to see if there are places up for grabs and to see if they can evolve to fill those boots, now they’re big boots. Hopefully we have the talent in Cork to do so.
O’Leary bowed out on a triumphant note after a year that saw her show unwavering devotion to Cork’s camogie cause. Living and working in Armagh didn’t deter her from embarking on a round trip of almost 500 miles for team training sessions.
“There was definitely unfinished business last year, I knew there was more in the team. There was no pressure by Paudie (Murray – Cork manager), he was very understanding and I did fitness work and gym work myself in Armagh before coming back down at weekends.
“It’s motorway all the way down, on a good day, you’d do it in three and a quarter hours. You just get yourself into the right mind frame. I never dreaded the journey, I’d keep myself busy listening to music or being on the phone to people.
“I got married in Cork last summer so I was down there a good bit in the middle of the season. Even when we went on the honeymoon to Las Vegas and Mexico, I kept doing some training.”
And by the close of the season, O’Leary was rewarded with All-Ireland glory as she signed off from a stellar inter-county career.
“It was definitely one of the most special All-Ireland wins. When the final whistle went against Kilkenny, I was just unbelievably happy. The team really bonded this year and the win gave everyone such a big lift. That’s what made it so special.”
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The Cork camogie team are currently fundraising for their team holiday and have organised a race night at Curraheen Park greyhound stadium in Cork on Friday February 13th.
For information on how to support, see www.corkcamogieplayersfundraiser.com or contact Brian Barry on 086-8100085
