Aisling Maher remains optimistic

By Cian O'Connell

Aisling Maher knows that 2026 brings possibilities. Two years ago, Dublin made significant progress in the camogie world.

Reaching an All-Ireland semi-final brought hope and encouragement.

Tough defeats were subsequently learned, but Maher remains optimistic that Dublin can enjoy a productive campaign with Bill McCormack as manager. "Obviously, we didn't get the results we wanted throughout 2025, but we probably put down decent building blocks," Maher reflects.

"We've a similar group of players working together, some of the younger girls got a bit more experience, and Bill, who is our manager now, was coaching last year, and has transitioned into the management position just before the beginning of championship last year.

"So, being back down in 1B for the league, it isn't where we wanted to be, going into the start of last year.

"At the same time, it gives us an opportunity to go back to the drawing board, and to start building again, develop a new system, and hopefully put some wins together."

Generating momentum is key because it is competitive environment. "There is great competition," Maher responds.

"In camogie, we hear a lot about the top two or three teams, the Galways, Corks, and Kilkennys, but there is big competition in the group under them, to try to breakthrough into that top three or four. We've seen in the last few years that nearly any team can be the fourth team in the semi-finals in the championship.

"Dublin certainly fancy themselves for being there or thereabouts for it. I guess, the set-up coming into championship, it gives everyone who believes they should be there, an opportunity to be there.

"It doesn't leave anything down to chance with the draw. If you think you're good enough to be there, go out, win the games, prove you're good enough to be there. So, it will be an exciting set-up."

That Dublin are retaining players is significant according to Maher. "I think it is the most important thing, to be honest," Maher says.

"If you look to the last time, prior to 2024, that we were in a semi-final, it was back in 2017. Obviously, I'd have been playing at that time, but there are very few other players that continued playing from the 2017 team that were still playing three or four years ago, never mind now.

"That is the biggest thing. On the back of 2017 the biggest barrier we had was trying to build after the amount of players that stepped away, partly due to changes of management.

"It can be always hard to retain players. In comparison, the 2024 team and the team we've this year is much more similar than it would've been after 2017."

Dublin can develop in the coming weeks and months according to Maher. "Bill was involved in '24 and is manager now going into the '26 season," she explains.

"Hopefully, that consistency gives us a platform to build with. A lot of the younger players now have consistently been there for the last three, four or five years, and that gives them a huge opportunity to build a panel that will be hopefully competitive over the next three or four years."

Representing Dublin matters deeply to Maher. "I think anybody who plays inter-county for a period of time and retires, talks about the struggle to replace it in their lives, and the struggle to come up with something that gives you the same satisfaction, bonding, and the opportunity to work really hard with a group of players, who've a common goal in mind," Maher says.

"I don't doubt that when I do retire, I'll struggle to replace that adrenalin rush and the satisfaction you get putting on a Dublin jersey, representing your county.

"For me, as I get that bit older, towards the end of your career, you appreciate getting that opportunity, and trying to enjoy it because you only get the chance for so long."

Maher's sporting adventure continues.