Mairead Eviston happy to help the next generation

By Cian O'Connell

Mairead Eviston laughs about the madness of sport.

Busy preparing for Saturday's Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Semi-Final against Galway, Eviston took a break from training last weekend.

A trip to Croke Park for the All-Ireland SHC Final proved to be time well spent as Tipperary triumphed. "It is great, Sunday was a great distraction for us," Eviston says.

"It was really enjoyable to get up to Croke Park to watch the lads, not be playing before it, you could really soak up all that enjoyment and energy around the stadium."

The passion Tipp demonstrated is something Eviston highlights. "It was a great outcome for Tipperary, I think the lads really put the foot to the throttle, they went at it, and it goes to show that when you go out, throw everything at it, bring a bit of fire in the belly, how much damage you can cause to the opposition," she adds.

"We're going to feed off that energy heading into this week's preparation. Heading training tonight, we're all looking forward to getting out on to the field, especially after the lads big win."

The mood in a county can helped by a significant victory. That is most certainly the case in Tipperary: a feel good factor exists again. "You saw the lads coming into the homecoming, the crowd that was out for them," Eviston explains.

"We're meeting people, they're just telling us to soak all the energy up from the lads and to bring it into next week. They're all looking forward to it. I think it is just after creating such a buzz around the county.

"They just want to get behind or support the county in whatever sport or code it is, that includes us in the camogie. It definitely does benefit us, the lads having won. You just hope the momentum will bring us into the semi-final."

In recent campaigns the Tipperary camogie team has made progress. That journey continues. "Four or five years ago we played in an All-Ireland semi-final," Eviston remarks.

"At that stage, we didn't really realise the potential we had. Having come so close in that game we thought we had something special here, and that we needed to really look at it and work at it over the next number of years, to make it happen for us. We knew we had the skill and the talent in the dressing room. It was just that shift in mindset that year."

Eviston remains adamant that Tipperary camogie will develop further. "The last few years have been disappointing for us, but with small tweaks they could have went a little bit differently for us," she says.

"It is the journey being put in front of us to hopefully get over the line this year now. We've great hope from last year, that was particularly shown in the Kilkenny quarter-final. When the game was in the melting pot, we were able to pull it out of the fire, to go on to win the game.

"In previous years, we probably would've let them grind out that win, and we'd have went home. So, there has been great learning in the last four or five years, and all of that is benefiting us now."

Ultimately, several teams believe they can make an impact at the highest level which illustrates the improvement in camogie according to Eviston. "It just goes to show that camogie is going from strength to strength," Eviston remarks.

"The PR around it now, what they're trying to do, promoting our game, it is helping. Younger girls all around the country are seeing what they can achieve if they put their mind to it, developing skills at young ages.

"They can aspire now to being a senior county camogie player. Before, we'd have been looking to the men because you couldn't see female sport.

"The PR and the exposure to the game, there is a lot to thank in that. It is no longer just the top three or four anymore, you've more teams putting up their hand for an All-Ireland spot."

As a secondary school teacher, Eviston understands the relevance of sport for young people. "Definitely," she replies. "We probably take it for granted playing.

"I see it as a teacher, they really enjoy it and they know so much about it. I was surprised that so many of them watch the games and come to the games and keep up to date with it really.

"It is great for them. I'm really enjoying now working in a school, being able to give back to the younger girls as much as I can, help them and support them in their camogie journey, hopefully getting on to county panels and up into senior and someday taking that jersey off my back."

Eviston is delighted that she eventually opted to go down the teaching route. "In school, you're very young making that decision about what you want to do for the rest of your life," Eviston says.

"Being a very indecisive person anyway, I wasn't confident about any of my decisions, but I knew I loved business. That is the road I went down. I did Commerce in NUIG, after that I went into a grad programme with Kerry Foods.

"Then, I went on to be a portfolio assistant with Kerry Taste & Nutrition Ingredients. I just couldn't find something that I loved getting up for and going to work for. I wanted something that I was really passionate about."

There was just something about teaching. "I knew I still loved business and I loved helping people, being sociable," Eviston adds. "I reverted back to teaching. I thought about it for a little while and made the hard decision to leave my job, going back to study for two years. I haven't looked back.

"It has been an incredible journey. I've one year under my belt now as a newly qualified teacher in Our Lady's, Templemore, the school I went to. I'm delighted to be back there.

"It was the best decision I ever made. I'm really enjoying getting up, going to work, and teaching a subject I'm passionate about. Even to be able to bring my camogie background into it is something very special."

Helping the next generation is something Eviston relishes.