Cork 'need to move forward and keep it on a roll' says Ashling Thompson

Cork were comfortable victors over old rivals Galway in Thurles.

Sun, 13 Apr, 2025 - 20:54

Therese O’Callaghan

At 35-years-of-age, midfielder Ashling Thompson was named Player of the Match in Cork’s Division 1A national camogie league victory over Galway. Along with the Mackey twins Pamela and Katrina, she provided the link to the last time the county won the title in 2013.

The scorer of three glorious points from play, she also had to battle back from an ACL injury suffered in the autumn of 2022 but returned in time for the latter stages of the following year's championship, helping Cork to back-to-back All-Ireland titles.

“If you are going to commit to the panel it is all about putting your body on the line,” the Milford juggernaut says.

“If I was going to sign up for it this year, I have to work hard and do everything I can do off the pitch and then do my talking on the field.

“The key is being smart. When my body isn’t right or I don’t feel right and I need a break I’ll do that. I’ll prioritise my recovery and my nutrition when I’m not training. It is listening to your body.

“I probably learned that from the ACL injury and I always go back to it. I mind myself physically so I’m very grateful.

“But the league is a closed chapter now. We have the Munster championship (v Clare) next weekend and that is what we must focus on. We’re in a positive place but we need to move forward and keep it on a roll.

“Even after today, we still have to learn from our mistakes. We did get the win but we know we are going to meet a different Galway the next day.

“People sometimes think there are only one or two teams. But for us on the pitch it is a lot closer to what people see on the screens. There is only a small gap between us all and if you are off your game you’re going to get caught.

“Everybody on the team sets the tone for the new girls coming in on the panel, it is extremely important for us to show them what it means to wear the Cork jersey and that we are very privileged to be in the position we are in."

Victory in FBD Semple Stadium brought back many happy memories.

“When we won the league in 2013 it was Thurles as well, which is mad. This year the league final venue was changed from Croke Park, it is usually on there. So to come back to Thurles again, I was thinking of it beforehand, it would be nice to come back here and do it again.”