Cork's Isobel Sheehan out to add to family roll of honour

It is no surprise then that Sheehan slotted into the Cork senior camogie team this season.

Cork senior camogie player Isobel Sheehan. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Sporting finesse regularly passes from one generation to the next.

It is no surprise then that Isobel Sheehan slotted into the Cork senior camogie team this season.

Now, hard work is still vital, but it does help when it’s in the genes.

A twin to Rebecca, the 24-year-old has two younger siblings Edel and Colm, and they grew up surrounded by the GAA.

Isobel traces her roots back to grandparents Kitty and Colm Sheehan on her father Mick’s side, and Nula and the late John Dunlea on her mother Jacqui’s side. They passed the baton to their children and grandchildren.

Isobel represents Éire Óg, a mid Cork club with a proud history when it comes to camogie, hurling and football.

She says the family teases each other about the sporting lineage.

“There would be fierce debate at home where the skills came from,” she laughs.

“Two of my aunties on my mom’s side, Stephanie and Lynn Dunlea played camogie with Cork and captained Cork (All-Ireland medallists), and have club All-Irelands in football and camogie.

“My mom’s grand-aunt (Kate Dunlea, 1934) would have been the first girl to captain Cork to a camogie All-Ireland victory.

“On the Sheehan side, my granddad Colm played with Cork and won a senior hurling All-Ireland in 1966. And on my nana’s side, two of my grandaunts Nancy O’Driscoll and Noelle O’Driscoll played (multiple All-Ireland winners). Noelle would have togged with Kilkenny and Cork.

“I’d have a few cousins involved in Cork teams too, Darragh (Clifford, U20 captain) was in with the senior footballers.”

Isobel’s dad was a star player for Éire Óg, he won an All-Ireland junior hurling medal with the Rebels in 1994 and lined out in the 1988 All-Ireland minor hurling decider.

Rain or shine, Jacqui and Mick are a constant presence.

“They’d be two of my biggest supporters. They’ve followed me around the country when I would have been only on panels or extended panels. They were dragged all around the place with us in a million different directions.

“They never missed a day and they are still at every single game, as well as my nana Kitty, who is at every single game. The seat behind the passenger seat in the car is hers and nobody else is allowed in there.”

Isobel and Rebecca excel in both codes and featured when Éire Óg were crowned Cork senior football champions last October.

So, you can imagine the excitement building around Ovens and the wider area, especially with Órlaith Cremin who is another great prospect from the club, in the squad.

They’re pulling out all the stops ahead of Sunday’s showdown against Galway.

A final that will also see first-cousin Rachel Murphy line out, offering further proof, if any was needed, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

“It is lovely having your cousin with you,” Isobel says. “Rachel (Stephanie’s daughter) plays with Ballinora. She’s a forward and I’m a back, we were marking each other in training one day and we took the heads off each other, but we’d be friends again after.”

As one of the newbies on the Cork selection, Isobel cites Ashling Thompson as someone she looks up to.

“I was injured for a bit over the last two years and it was great to be in with the 23s last year. Thankfully I got the call from Ger (Manley) this year. I wasn’t getting a lot of game time in the league but I kept pushing because there is a lot of competition. Luckily for me I got a starting place in the championship, so fingers crossed for the final. As long as I’m on the pitch I’m happy.

“Definitely, Ashling Thompson is a real leader. She’s been around for years and still is one of the best players in the squad. She’s so good at bringing others into the game, especially when I was late coming into the starting team, she’d be so encouraging and such an easy player to play with.

“I’ve never played in Croke Park, I’ve been up there watching. I think there is a picture of me and Rebecca in the O’Duffy Cup as babies, so to be up there playing is a dream come true.

"Sometimes I can’t believe that will be me up there after years sitting and watching. I know a lot of the girls from college and playing against them in club, to get the opportunity to play with them in Croke Park is surreal.”

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