Regrets are too few to mention for Walsh

ANGELA WALSH knew there would be times she would regret quitting camogie to concentrate on Ladies Football with Cork.

She had won five All-Ireland medals between the two codes and, as one of several dual stars, gained huge satisfaction from her involvement.

But, the extent of the commitment that was required, coupled with ‘niggling’ injuries, forced her into making a choice at the end of last season. Football won out for a number of reasons, not least that she had led Inch Rovers to success in the county championship, thereby putting her in line for the captaincy of the county team.

“It was a tough decision,’’ she admitted. “While I loved camogie and was sorry to give it up, I’m enjoying playing with my club a lot more. I have a lot more time to myself and even at club level, my game has benefited.

“We (the Cork footballers) came up on the bus to see the camogie final and I was delighted for the girls when they won. They gave a magnificent performance. It was my first time watching a final as opposed to playing and for a couple of minutes I felt I’d love to have been out there.’’

Ironically, the winning captain – Cathriona Foley – had opted out of football to concentrate on her camogie, having been a member of the panel for the past three seasons.

Cork enjoyed considerable success at under-age level before their senior breakthrough. And, while the team is heading for four-in-a-row, it’s not long ago since they were celebrating their first Munster title – in Páirc Uí Rinn in 2004.

“I’ll never forget that day. It was a fantastic achievement. I think we realised we had great potential and I suppose under the guidance of (coach) Eamonn Ryan we have really reached the heights we have today because of him.’’

After that, they took a giant step by beating Mayo in sensational fashion in the All-Ireland semi-final of 2005 in Portlaoise, coming from being a point behind with 30 seconds on the clock.

“That was the makings of us. It instilled great belief in ourselves. We are lucky there are a lot of talented players in the squad. Definitely the depth of talent that is there in Cork and all the under-age girls that are coming through is a big factor. There are girls on the panel who are minors and they are just fantastic players.’’

Agreeing that Valerie Mulcahy’s availability represents a huge boost to the team – “Val has definitely been one of the star players for us over the last few years’’ – she insists that there has been little or no talk of four-in-a-row.

“It’s grand we are in our fourth final but we are focusing more on the 2008 season.

“If it happens it happens — and hopefully it will.’’

Her only knowledge of Monaghan is based on a League meeting earlier in the year which they won. “We had just come off the back of a defeat to Dublin and, our third game at home.

“We went up to play Monaghan the following week. We had a point to prove to ourselves that we were still able to perform at this level. I think we beat them quite well, but they have brought in a lot of younger players since then. We know it will be a tough game to win.’’

Teaching PE and maths in St. Augustine’s in Dungarvan – “a fabulous school and they are so supportive’’ – the only thing that takes from her enjoyment of the game is that women’s sport in general is ‘under-appreciated.’

In the case of the Ladies Footballers – and they are no different to teams around the country – it means that for each of their away trips over the last three years they have had to do all the fund-raising themselves.

“It’s hard work and we put in all the effort and make all the sacrifices — the same as the men.”