Cork camogie player and Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps ambassador, Amy O’Connor, pictured today at Croke Park for the launch of the 2025 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps. A key part of this year's campaign is the new Cúl and Curious initiative, a unique introductory GAA Cúl Camps experience designed for children from migrant families, creating a shared experience with local Irish children and fostering a sense of community. The bespoke camp will take place in St Breckan’s GAA in Lisdoonvarna on April 17. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
Cork’s Very National Camogie League Division 1A success mattered deeply to Amy O’Connor.
A serious foot injury suffered in last year’s All-Ireland Final triumph ruled O’Connor out of competitive action for seven and a half months.
It was a long and winding road back for O’Connor, who contributed four points in the FBD Semple Stadium league decider against Galway on Sunday. “We were delighted, I've been on the panel now for 12 years, and we'd never won the league, it was our first time since then,” O’Connor says.
“So, we're delighted, it is always great to get silverware. We've tried in the past and failed to win the league, so it is great to get over the line.”
O’Connor simply relishes the sense of fulfilment representing Cork brings. “I think fulfilment is the correct word there,” she responds. “I get a lot of fulfilment from playing with Cork.
“What I love about it is the effort you put in is reflected. So, the level of effort you put in is what you get back from the sport. I love that. I picked up a bit of an injury in the All-Ireland final. So, I was out for seven and a half months, and it definitely made me more hungry to get back, to hopefully be better than ever. That really put things into perspective for me.”
How much of a mental challenge can it be dealing with injury when sport occupies such a central role in O’Connor’s life? “It is hard, but you just look at the end goal,” O’Connor responds.
“The end goal is getting back, doing what you love. For me, that was it, and it probably took longer than I was hoping for initially. It was all about getting back doing the thing I love the most. I really feel that now.
“Playing on Sunday, it was probably my first full game back after all of that time. I got so much enjoyment out of it, and ultimately, that was my goal at the beginning of the injury: to get back enjoying what I do love the most.”
The fact that some of Cork’s emerging talent contributed throughout the league campaign offers another source of optimism according to O’Connor. “If you look at Clodagh Finn, for example,” O’Connor says.
Laura Treacy and Amy O'Connor celebrate following Cork's 2024 All-Ireland Camogie Final win over Galway at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
“Clodagh is a young player, she had an unbelievable campaign with UCC. She has come in, she has made a huge impact for us in the league. That is what the league is all about.
“Obviously, you want to win it, but if you can get players making an impact, then that will only strengthen you for the championship. So, we were delighted with that.”
Overcoming setbacks and harrowing defeats is part of being a sportsperson. The past few years have brought Championship joy for Cork, but O’Connor acknowledges this is a special time for an accomplished team. “I came into the panel when we won two on the trot, lost one, won another two and then we went a couple of years without winning at all,” she reflects.
“So, I think sometimes you've to have those bad days to have the good days in the future. We responded well to it. We've put in a lot of effort, and it took a long time to build what we have now.
“We will continue to build on that. We know we're not the finished article, by no means, but we will continue to build, and hopefully we will continue to progress.”
Now an established part of the Cork panel has O’Connor’s perspective altered compared to just over a decade ago? “You're a bit more experienced, you've been around a bit, played in big games,” she says.
“This is my 12th year so you step into those leadership roles that you mightn't have had when you first came into the panel. There is a good group of us that all came in around the same time - myself, Meabh Cahalane, Laura Treacy, Libby (Coppinger), Hannah Looney, and a few others. We've all been there a while. We're now the leaders of the group.
“When we came in it was the likes of Breige Corkery, Gemma O'Connor, and Aoife Murray, all of those characters. So, you do step into a new role. In terms of the enjoyment, the enjoyment, for me, is definitely still there.
“I absolutely love it. Even after 12 years, if at all possible, I love it even more now, and I think you appreciate it more as you get older. So, I'm just enjoying every minute as much as I can.”
That approach has always served O’Connor well.