Camogie chief praises final boost

Playing the Division 1 camogie league final as part of a prestigious double-header with the hurling decider at Semple Stadium on Sunday will be a massive boost to the women’s code.

So says the chief executive of the Camogie Association, Sinéad O’Connor, who is certain that the sport will benefit from being in the shop window on such a significant stage.

“It follows on from the launch of the National Hurling Plan earlier in the year in that we’re trying to grow the two together,” said O’Connor yesterday.

“To have a national showcase on what is one of the biggest days for both camogie and hurling is a huge positive for the association. Of course it has worked out well to have one county involved in both finals and hopefully, that will increase the number of people coming in to watch Cork and Wexford in the camogie final.”

The standard of camogie has increased significantly in recent years and O’Connor is hoping Sunday’s showpiece will illustrate that development.

“What we find is you will get somebody who might not come in for the start of the camogie, but will come in early for the hurling.

“These people are often astounded by the level of skill and athleticism. You hope to convert a few people.”

O’Connor is full of praise for the cooperation that has taken place between her organisation, the GAA and Semple Stadium. “When we go in there, it’s just treated as another game but it’s invaluable exposure for us and our sponsors.”