Thompson's true grit sees her bounce back after 'brutal' injury

By John Harrington

There haven't been many tougher or more determined camogie players to ever take to the field than Cork’s Ashling Thompson, but even her resolve has been tested by a very challenging year.

That she will once again be a driving force for the Rebels from midfield in Sunday’s Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Final against Galway is remarkable considering the adversity she’s had to overcome.

Back in March in Cork’s National League win over Kilkenny she suffered an elbow dislocation that completely separated her forearm from her upper arm.

At the time it looked like a career-ending injury never mind a season-ending one, and when you ask her what it felt like at the time the memory of the sheer pain of it is etched deeply on her face.

“I'd rather do two ACLs at the same time, to be honest with you,” says Thompson.

“It was absolutely brutal. I couldn't even describe the pain. Completely freak (injury).

“It was on up in Freshford in Kilkenny. So usually in Nowlan Park you'd have medics and stuff like that so that took a bit of time because we didn't have the same availability that day.

“So, you're kind of hanging on for pain relief for the bones of an hour and a half, which was not the greatest. In fairness, Kilkenny were absolutely brilliant, even their physios and everything came straight over and tried to help as much as they could.

“We finally got to St Luke's but it (the pain) was absolutely brutal. But, of course, me being naive I thought they'd reduce it. I had a break as well, so I just thought, ‘oh, broken bone, six weeks, I'll be back.’

“But that's not the case and I fully dislocated it. So there was tissue repair and everything that needed to be done, but I never expected surgery so that was obviously a very upsetting phone call to get, especially being caught off guard.

“But after the surgery then was horrific, the pain was again incredible. I had a nerve block, but once that wore off it was brutal, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, to be honest.”

The rehab wasn’t exactly a walk in the park either.

When she sat down with the surgeon she was told that if everything went exceptionally well she could potentially be back on the field in four months which would put in her the frame for an All-Ireland semi-final or final.

As it transpired, Thompson was able to tog out for the second round of the championship against Tipperary and played the full 60 minutes in the final group game against Waterford.

Her return to play was a good bit ahead of schedule, but only because she pushed herself to the limit.

“It was very intense, three to four times a day so obviously I was out of work,” says Thompson.

“I actually ended up setting up a home gym because I did not have the patience to be getting into my car three or four times a day to go to a gym.

“I was basically at home, and obviously there’s downsides to that too because you take away the social aspect and for a finish I think I was almost losing my mind over it but once I got back involved with the girls, it was brilliant.

“You had physio appointments, going to a masseuse, your specialists and your consultants, and hammering it three or four times a day.

“Initially, the main goal is to get your full extension back, that’s the main thing is the full extension so that was tedious. I’d say I won’t get it back anyway for a good while but it is hanging in there.”

An injury like a dislocated elbow doesn’t just take a physical toll, there are psychological scars too.

When she got back on grass it took some for Thompson to have confidence in her arm again.

“Obviously there was an element of fear in terms of you’re nearly afraid that it would pop out if you swing one way or the other,” she says.

“Once I started pucking, you get your confidence back quite quick. It felt I suppose a lot of restriction, especially when hitting on my open side, and just getting that mobility back.

“Even in the wrist actually, the wrist was quite a tricky one because you lose all the muscle mass in your forearm, so that puts huge pressure on the wrist. Even in terms of your tackling or pushing players off you would be quite difficult.

“Once I threw myself into my first full-contact session, I had my first fall, which I didn’t remember. The girls told me afterwards, and I was buzzing.

“Once you get all your firsts out of the way… I have not thought twice about it since.”

The dislocated elbow isn’t the only injury challenge that Thompson has had to overcome this year.

She was a big doubt for the All-Ireland semi-final against Tipperary with a hamstring pull, but she strapped it heavily and showed typical bravery by not just getting through the match but leading by example throughout.

It’s been a rocky road to get to Sunday’s All-Ireland Final then, but that makes the achievement all the sweeter.

“Definitely,” says Thompson. “I never expected to have the year that I have had. It has been extremely difficult.

“You fight so hard to come back from the elbow, but then, with the weather and the surfaces, you’re dealing with muscle injuries and stuff like that because you are constantly chasing.

“When you have worked so hard to come back from the elbow and you’re picking up these muscle or tissue injuries, they are nearly worse.

“I also got a new job last year (as a prison officer) which is quite demanding in terms of being on a roster.

“It has been really challenging. Sunday is a big incentive because, to be honest, I will have to have a long, hard think over the winter.

“This year was definitely, I wouldn't say draining, but it has certainly been mentally challenging.”

This is the 11^th time in 13 seasons that Thompson will contest an All-Ireland Final with Cork.

Of the previous 10, she has won six and lost four. She’s had a remarkably successful career then, but all that silverware has done nothing to sate her appetite

“Sure, you take any bit (of success) at all, like you’d take one (All-Ireland), never mind six.

“But I think when you look back on your career, you'd probably look at it more positively but, as I said, when you're in it and people ask you how many have you won, you say six but in the back of my mind, I'm like, ‘but we've lost four,’ so we've lost plenty.

“So, it's almost like six isn't enough, which is probably very greedy. But yeah, look, finals, they're there to be won. Seven sounds better than six.”