Cork captain Meabh Cahalane pictured at the launch of the 2025 Very Camogie Leagues. This year’s competition promises to be an exciting showcase of talent, passion, and dedication to the game. INPHO/James Crombie
By Cian O’Connell
From one of the truly great Cork sporting families, Meabh Cahalane, simply relishes being involved at senior inter-county level.
These are exciting times for Cork Camogie, who face Waterford in the Very National League Division 1A on Saturday, and Cahalane is ready for action again.
The 2024 All-Ireland Championship triumph over Galway illustrated Cork’s collection of resilience, depth, and class. “Last year, obviously, went really well for us,” Cahalane says.
“Galway really put it up to us in the final, but it showed how strong our panel is. Players from our bench came in, Clodagh Finn and Sorcha McCartan, they had a real impact on the game. That is something we'll be hoping to continue this year.
“We had a strong panel and a strong bench, finishing out games for us, that was the difference. We're looking forward to this year, going into the league, and trying to make an impression from the get-go. Hopefully it will go well for us.”
For several years Cork, Kilkenny, and Galway were the chief contenders, but the emergence of Tipperary, Waterford, and Dublin recently bodes well for the sport. “You've to take every game as it comes because every game is extremely challenging and difficult, especially at this time of the year,” Cahalane says.
“We went away to Waterford, we played them at WIT, we only won by a point. It was a really tough game. We played them again in the Munster Championship, and we played Tipp, too. We've got quite familiar with those teams over the years between the league and Munster Championship. Then you throw in Dublin, and we had a tough game against Wexford in the championship last year. So, it isn't just the three teams anymore.
“Any day you go out, more than likely, you're going to be put to the pin of your collar. So, it is definitely good for the game of Camogie, and we're beginning to get the best out of each other. I think that is only good for the game.”
Growing up in the Cahalane household, sport was simply always on the agenda. “I think there was matches nearly every Saturday and Sunday of every weekend,” she laughs.
Cork joint-captains Molly Lynch and Meabh Cahalane lift the O'Duffy Cup after 2024 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Final at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
“It was destined that you were going to play in some sort of form, football or camogie. We're just really lucky that we happen to enjoy it so much, that we get so much out of it. To be still playing and enjoying it is great.”
With the family, Cahalane has learned how to balance sport and life. “It obviously would be the main topic of conversation in the house, but some days can be more disappointing for others than somebody else in the house,” she says.
“So, you try to mind your own business as much as you can, focus on yourself. You spend so much time training between that, gym, and video analysis, and meetings.
“Sometimes when you go home, you just want to switch off. Maybe, the less you talk about it, the better. I think they're after getting used to that at this stage.”
Still, the joy sport brings is appreciated by Cahalane. “It takes huge commitment and discipline to play at that level and to train at that level,” she responds.
“We're the lucky ones to get picked for the panel. You've some girls training at the start of the year for a couple of weeks, they mightn't even making the championship panel. They're training just as hard at this time of the year.
“When you're involved in such a high performance environment, you know it requires absolutely everything for about 10 months of the year. If you're not willing to put in that, it probably isn't for you.
“So, the enjoyment you get then, not only from winning, but from the friends you make and the experiences you've together, it definitely makes it worth it.
“We're just lucky in Cork over the last few years, but we won't be taking anything for granted this year. We're really looking forward to the year ahead now.”