The Camogie Association, in proud partnership with Glen Dimplex, has officially launched the 2025 Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Championships at Croke Park. Pictured is Laura Leenane of Tipperary.
By Cian O’Connell
It has been a busy year for Tipperary goalkeeper Laura Leenane.
In March 2024, Leenane started playing between the sticks for Tipperary’s premier junior outfit, who collected an All-Ireland title. Now Leenane is in the Tipperary senior panel, eager to make an impact at the highest level for a promising team.
“I wasn't at all,” Leenane laughs when asked about always being a goalkeeper. “I played a little bit underage. I only started in the goals with Tipp in March last year with the juniors.
“So, it is a big change for myself. I was usually a forward, it is completely different. I look at the game a lot differently than other goalies, maybe. I had a great year with the juniors and thankfully got the call up to the seniors.”
Leenane’s potential was spotted. “Maybe I play the game a bit differently now than others would,” she replies. “It was a massive adjustment.
“My hurling and touch would be there from outfield, and you might see runs from playing outfield yourself in the goals, the runs that people might be trying to make. Maybe that made me stand out a bit more, but they obviously saw something in me, I don't know what it was.”
The role of a goalkeeper has evolved in recent decades according to Leenane. “Goalkeeper isn't a position anymore that you can throw anyone in for them to puck the ball out anywhere,” she adds.
“The goalie is a lot more involved these days. Even with puck outs, you've to place them a lot more, to be thinking the whole time. It is a big position.”
Involved with the Tipperary U23 and senior panels, Leenane acknowledges the importance of the successful stint spent with the premier junior team in the county. “There is a good few from the juniors last year involved with the 23s,” she explains. “There is four of us from the juniors last year on the senior this year.
“With the underage camogie the future is bright, especially with the minors winning the All-Ireland last year. That was massive. The underage is flying it, and it does go to show the work going on behind the scenes with the underage groups is starting to come through, thankfully.”
Acquiring valuable experience at premier junior level benefited Leenane. “One hundred per cent, it is a good way to get used to the increase in physicality from minor to adult level,” she responds.
“There is a massive jump. It is important to get that after minor, to adjust to even the speed of it, really, and the physicality.”
Tipp face standard bearers Cork in the All-Ireland Camogie Championship on Saturday. Another demanding test awaits, but the fact that several counties believe they can enjoy a summer adventure is encouraging. “It makes the competition a lot more competitive when there is more than a couple of teams that know they can do well in it,” Leenane reflects.
“Games are a lot closer. On any given day, anyone can beat anyone which makes a Championship a lot more exciting. The standard is improving year on year, teams are stepping up to that which is massive for camogie.”