Laura Hayes excited about emerging Cork talent
Laura Hayes pictured at the launch of the Centra Camogie Leagues.
By Cian O’Connell
An All-Ireland Final defeat hurts. So, Laura Hayes acknowledges that the intervening few months have been demanding. There is no point suggesting otherwise.
A new look Cork team, with plenty of promising emerging players, are ready to embrace challenges in 2026. Even though a defeat was suffered in Saturday’s Centra National League opener against Waterford, Cork are busy preparing for the Championship. “It is a very enjoyable winter when you're winning, and there is a lot to be enjoying,” Hayes explains.
“It is a lot quieter, I suppose, and there is a lot of time for sober thoughts when you're on the wrong end of it. We got to the county final with the club, so that was something that definitely gave me a bit of a distraction and to get back around a bit.
“We lost that county final, too. There is a bit of time then, when it is disappointing, but the best thing you can do is put a bit of closure on it.
“I went away, did a bit of travelling for a month. Once you get back, you're refreshed and ready to look into next year, to move forward then, again.”
Hayes thinks that young Cork players can contribute significantly during the upcoming weeks and months. “I don't think it is any secret that we're down a few players this year,” Hayes says.
“Obviously, you can look at that two ways. Huge giants of the game, who gave so much to Cork camogie, and were so influential in our team, but now there are places up for grabs.
“Players, on the panel for three or four years, who've been trying to break-in and majorly there are places up for grabs this year.
“Our management are completely of the idea that is the opportunity some players need to take. Cork camogie, you can say is in transition, but it is actually the next player up. That is the way we're looking at.”
The skill that continues to be demonstrated in camogie games, league and championship, illustrates the class of players. Considering the rising standards, should more people attend fixtures outside of the concluding stages of the All-Ireland series? “If you let it fester and think about it too much, it is definitely something that is extremely frustrating with our game,” Hayes responds.
Laura Hayes in action for Cork against Galway in the 2025 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Final at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
“I don't think that camogie players play because they're going to be playing in front of huge crowds. That isn't what we get, yes on All-Ireland semi-final and final day, but you're playing it because you love the game, you're very competitive, and you want to get over the line.
“When you're a young girl, you're at hurling games, you see that, and it is what you want. If parents want their girls to have that experience, they need to bring them to every game too. It is probably down to that, it is more of a culture where you bring your kids to the semi-final and final, but why don't bring your kids to the other championship or league games too?
“You're probably more likely to get time with players, too. Obviously, it is a bit more hectic on a semi-final day.”
Hayes is hopeful further strides can be taken. “I think it is down to the onus on parents to bring their kids and on the media to promote the games much more,” she adds.
“You see that push come the semi-final and final, but you don't see that for the group games. This year the league and championship groups are very competitive, the games will be really close, and well worth watching.
“I think it's about everyone really investing in it, maybe stop talking about it, and the companies that are getting behind us, to go after it, and promote it to parents to bring their kids to every game.”
The fact that several counties believe they can make an impact matters according to Hayes. “Yeah, 100 per cent,” she says.
“Maybe a few years ago it was between one or two teams, but I don't think you can say that anymore. The Waterfords, Tipperarys, Kilkennys, they're coming and they're coming fast. In the last few years, they've taken a scalp out of us for sure, and they've probably done the same to Galway and Kilkenny.
“You've definitely five or six teams up there now. When you look at the underage, those teams are as strong, if not stronger than some of our underage teams.
“That is really positive for camogie, but for us and Galway, it means that you've to go back, look at underage structures, see are they going well, and what are we getting out of them, coming into the senior team. I think that is only good for the game, to be honest.”