Laura Hayes from St Catherine’s also achieved the same treble with Cork camogie in 2018. However, Saoirse McCarthy, from Courcey Rovers, believes that the senior championship doesn’t truly count, despite having the medal. She clarifies that they didn’t play a single minute in the senior championship, but were merely part of the panel. Modesty aside, McCarthy performed exceptionally well in the intermediate final, scoring 0-3 and earning the Player of the Match title before swiftly transitioning to the senior bench. Since then, she has become a formidable force for the Cork team.
At only 23 years old, McCarthy’s skills, pace, versatility, and leadership have become vital for the Rebels. Initially excelling in the forward position during her underage journey, she reluctantly took on the wing-back role for the seniors before owning it. Now, she plays in midfield as a powerful left-handed player who evades tackles effortlessly and showcases her remarkable speed, defying her youthful appearance.
McCarthy’s exceptional athleticism stems from a unique source. Her hometown, Ballinspittle, is home to the only Kuk Sool Won school in Ireland. Kuk Sool Won is a Korean martial art that encompasses the skills of various other martial arts. McCarthy began training in this discipline at the age of nine and achieved her black belt at the age of 16. Describing it as similar to Taekwondo but with more emphasis on gymnastics and weapons-based techniques, McCarthy believes that her balance and strength stem from her martial arts training.
The strength she gained from martial arts has proven to be a significant asset for McCarthy, especially in the gym. She recalls that her ability to do push-ups and other exercises greatly aided her during her transition to the senior team. McCarthy also recognizes the discipline instilled by Kuk Sool Won, with its traditional values of respect and obedience. She believes that this discipline translates into her attitude on the field, as she follows instructions without question. Though she admits Cork coach Liam Cronin recently called her out for not listening during training, she values the discipline martial arts has instilled in her.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McCarthy hasn’t had much time to practice martial arts recently. Nonetheless, it remains an integral part of her life. Currently, her priority is to help Cork regain their position at the top of the camogie ladder, especially after losing the last two finals and facing numerous injuries this summer. It hasn’t been an easy journey, with their previous two games requiring them to defeat the reigning champions.
The quarter-final match against Kilkenny was unexpected but served as a wake-up call for the team. McCarthy believes that it refocused and motivated them. Those challenging games ultimately proved beneficial, and she hopes it will contribute to their success in the final. Reflecting on her 2018 treble with her teammate Laura Hayes, McCarthy acknowledges that they may have taken it for granted at the time due to their young age. However, her desire now is to win a senior medal for herself and her team, as they didn’t play a significant role in their previous success. She looks forward to celebrating a victory and having a new story to tell when the final whistle blows.
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