Saoirse McCarthy: 'It was a brilliant experience'

By Cian O'Connell

Cork are well versed in dealing with important Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship matches.

Saturday's semi-final encounter against Waterford at UPMC Nowlan Park is next on the agenda and Saoirse McCarthy relishes these types of fixtures. "It is where you want to be in July, playing summer hurling," she says.

"We're excited to get back out there after having a four week break. So, we're excited to get out to play."

Having topped their group, a four week gap has given Cork an opportunity to reset. How is that as a player? "I think it can be long, it can feel like you're ready for a game, but we've managed it really well," McCarthy responds.

"We had a few in house games and challenge games, stuff like that. We've managed it quite well, we did it last year. So, the full focus is on Saturday."

The past couple of campaigns have brought Cork joy and plenty of silverware, but the challenge is to remain relevant. "100 per cent," McCarthy replies instantly.

"Naturally enough, everyone wants to win, and you probably have a target on your back that way, too. We're fully aware that Waterford are going to be gunning for us on Saturday.

"It is a privileged place to be, and hopefully we can stay there for as long as we possibly can."

Friendships have been forged in the Cork set-up and McCarthy acknowledges the importance of that bond. We're very close, you win together, and you lose together," McCarthy says.

"We did both of those things and it has brought us closer as a group, as a collective, both on and off the field. They're your best friends, you're training with them, three, four or five nights a week during the summer.

"You're spending enough time together, so you're going to get close and make friends. I don't know where I'd be without those girls. We're really close."

McCarthy thoroughly enjoys representing Cork at the highest level. "I always say that, you have to enjoy it because it is an amateur sport at the end of the day," McCarthy remarks.

"It is a hobby, it is a very serious hobby. We're very good at realising that when we go to training it could potentially be our last training.

"So, we try our absolute hardest and we had fun doing it. You take nothing for granted. We're so privileged to be able to run around a field with sticks with your friends.

"There is many people, who couldn't even dream of that. There is so much going on in the world, you're just grateful to be part of this group, and we're successful."

McCarthy recently completed a digital marketing course in TU Dublin. It proved to be a rewarding spell on and off the field of play. "I'm working now with Keary's Motor Group, who're our sponsor which is funny," she says.

"I did my internship with them. It was a good year. I learned loads of lessons, played Ashbourne with TU Dublin, got to experience that, meet new people and play with new people, and get new coaches.

"You're growing as a player, but as a person, too. I was living away from home for the first time. Doing all of those things, it was a brilliant experience, something I really enjoyed.

"I really enjoyed the course and the people I met. It is different to the sports and I think you need a balance.

"If everything is sport, you'll get sick of it or fed up of it. So, it is nice to have a balance and a different thing to do everyday."