Ex-star Kilkenny is keen for players to get balance right
By Patrick Earley
HOW things have changed in the space of a few short years for former Galway camogie star and current selector Orla Kilkenny.
From the lows of All-Ireland final defeats on the field of play in 2008, ’10 and ’11 to the ultimate high of achieving All-Ireland glory as a squad member in 2013, Kilkenny has seen it all at the top level.
That’s probably what Cathal Murray realised too when he approached Kilkenny to join his backroom team after being appointed manager before last year’s championship.
Fast-forward 16 months and here they are preparing to attempt to emulate the remarkable feat achieved by Tony Ward in 2013 and guide Galway to senior and intermediate All-Ireland glory on the same day.
“Awh sure it’s so different,” the Pearses clubwoman begins when contrasting her new role on the sideline to her playing days. “When you’re a player, you’re concerned about yourself. You’re getting yourself right, you’re looking after your food, your diet, all that kind of stuff.
“For us (management), we have just shy of 55 girls to get right for an All-Ireland final! I think for us, it’s about balance. We want them to enjoy the build-up but we don’t want them to get caught up in it either.
“They’re special times for them. It’s a special time to be a Galway camogie player. We’re aware it might never happen again. You have to go out with that attitude. We want them to enjoy the build-up and we want them to take it all in but we don’t want them to get lost in it either, it’s a fine balance.”
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
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