Cork's Ashling Thompson clinging onto hope after injury nightmare

The Cork dynamo suffered a new injury having recovered from a horrific elbow problem.

28th July 2026 Cork senior camogie player Ashling Thompson who plays against Galway in the All-Ireland final in Croke Park on Sunday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

With her thigh wrapped in a tight bandage, Ashling Thompson was never going to miss the All-Ireland senior camogie championship semi-final against Tipperary no matter what.

Having to deal with a new injury subsequent to recovering from another was never part of the Cork dynamo’s plan.

She didn’t schedule a scan, preferring instead to play it by ear.

That is understandable, when you consider what she had been through with a horrific elbow injury sustained in a league game in March.

When we catch up with her two days following the Tipperary victory and a little under a fortnight before contesting her 11th All-Ireland senior final with the Rebels, she sits out training after test results confirm a hamstring tear.

But it is the sight of the long scar running down her arm that firstly brings us back to that fateful day in Kilkenny.

“It happened two days after my 36th birthday, it was some birthday,” she smiles.

“I was totally taken aback, I had no idea the extent of the injury. It wasn’t until our team doctor Louise O’Connell gave me a call.

“I was sitting in a car park in the Grand Parade (Cork) and I thought my whole world was turning upside down to be honest and the tears were flooding.

“It was a full dislocation and when the elbow dislocated it broke the radial head, so that needed surgery and with such a severe dislocation that took ligaments and tendons with it. There was tissue repair and then I had to get the radial head screwed back together.

“So yeah, an absolutely nasty one. I was pretty much ruled out for the rest of the season, given a small window of hope, and any bit of hope I was ready to grasp.

“I never had an injury of that sort. I actually thought they’ll pop it back in and what’s a break? Six weeks? That’s what was in my head. I was fully convinced I would make it back within a short period. I didn’t realise it needed surgery.

“I had a couple of conversations. Had a chat with the surgeon and he said four months, which would be the All-Ireland semi-final/final. I got back for Waterford (June 28). I was actually togged out for Tipp (June 14) hoping to get 10 or 15 minutes.” 

That she returned ahead of time speaks volumes about her mental fortitude. Then, the misfortune of the hamstring struck.

“I suppose I’m kind of chasing, since the elbow. The weather and the change of surface, I picked up a knock on the Tuesday night before the Tipp game.

“We said I’d rest for the week. It was touch and go. I said I’d keep going and if it came to it I was ready to come off. I felt strong enough to do 40 minutes (she played 60).

“I’ll be minding it as much as I can. There is hope. I’ll cling on to that hope and be ready, please God.

“Seven medals sounds better than six,” she says of her quest for yet another Celtic Cross.

Her maiden success came in 2014, marking the start of a decorated career that dates back even further.

“I was 16 when I got called up first, I think it was around 2006. It’s mad I’ve been in and out of the Cork senior panel for the last 20 years. It was 2013 when I went full on with the senior squad.

“I captained Cork to All-Ireland success in 2015 against Galway. An unbelievable moment for me, my club (Milford) and my family. I still remember it to this day and think of all the fantastic moments we’ve had.

“To say we’re back in another All-Ireland final, especially going back to the league and facing relegation, I never thought we would be in a position to contend again.” 

A fresh cohort of players aided the comeback.

“I wouldn’t have known half the girls in general,” she admits.

“They’re a lot younger than me, a massive gap. Girls that I had never seen before.

“When we got knocked out of Munster that seven-week block stood to us massively. We stayed together and trained three nights a week and twice in the gym. It was time that we needed.

“A huge thing as well was winning the U23 competition. You can see the confidence in the likes of Millie Condon, Ava Fitzgerald, Niamh McNabola, Amy Sheppard…there are so many to name. Orlaith Cahalane being able to play with her own age group and Méabh Murphy as well.” 

Cork face champions Galway for the third final in a row on Sunday. It stands at one apiece. One win each this year as well, which sets it up nicely.

“I’m disappointed with our second half in the semi-final, but look, we laid down a good marker in the first half. The thing is you can’t be taking your foot off the gas.

“I’ve met Galway so many times across my career, whether it is finals or semi-finals, we know each other inside out. They’re going to be the favourites, they’re the title holders.

“At the same time, the shackles are off with us. There is no pressure. And no pressure on the younger players who have performed exceptionally well. If we can get a win, it is just a bonus. But we won’t fear it either.”