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 Lorraine Bray of Waterford.
By Cian O’Connell
An away clash on Saturday against Kilkenny promises to be a revealing Glen Dimplex Senior Camogie clash for Waterford.
In recent years Waterford have enjoyed encouraging moments, reaching the 2023 All-Ireland Final, and Lorraine Bray is hopeful that further progress can be made in the coming weeks and months.
Michael Boland is now in charge of the Déise, who are eager to enjoy a productive stint. “We're in the latter stages of what we've been training for all so far, so everyone is looking forward in Waterford to getting going for our first match against Kilkenny on Saturday,” Bray says.
“We've a great bunch of girls, a core group that has stayed on for the last number of years which is fantastic. They've been the driving force behind it.
“We know ourselves, we've that belief that we can go further. We've seen that in the last number of years, we're just trying to push that on every year, trying to get back to an All-Ireland final again on August 10.”
Undoubtedly, Cork set a high standard, but several teams are acquiring belief that they can make a bold bid for national honours. “I think you've definitely seen that grow in other counties too, that bit of belief,” Bray explains.
“A lot of the teams have made small breakthroughs, but we've just to make that big push now, to get over the line, to get back to an All-Ireland final again. Every team has that same goal. You're trying to do things out of the ordinary, to do things that haven't been done before.”
Lorraine Bray, Waterford, and Aoife Healy, Cork, in action during the 2023 Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Championship Final at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Is generating that confidence and conviction difficult? “I think momentum plays a bit part, making the game look appealing for younger girls,” Bray replies.
“Then, you have younger girls joining the panel, coming up from the minor teams. When you've that bit of fresh youth coming into the team it drives on the older girls. Momentum helps too, but you've to have those leaders around the field, who're driving it forward.”
Helping to inspire the next generation matters deeply to Bray. “Definitely, on a personal level I'd have looked up to a lot of the older girls that played with Waterford,” she says.
“They brought me on leaps and bounds when they were involved with the county. I think it is in the back of your mind, that you're leaving that bit of a legacy for younger girls coming up.
“At the same time your focus is obviously on the game, on what is happening in the here and now. In the back of your mind too, though, is what you're doing for camogie in Waterford.”
The increasing media attention attached to Waterford becoming more relevant at the highest level in camogie is crucial. “I think it is brilliant for Waterford camogie, just being out there more,” Bray reflects.
“You see more young girls carrying hurleys around the place, girls are as often down the pitch as you're down the pitch, practising which is fantastic. So, it does leave a lasting impact. I think it is all for the better of Waterford camogie.”