Iron-clad road to sporting success for Galway camogie player
A Galway camogie player who spent years struggling with extreme fatigue is backing calls for greater awareness of how low iron levels can impact female athletes.
Midfielder Ally Hesnan is at the top of her game and was part of the squad to beat Cork at the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship at Croke Park last year.
But her packed training schedule often led to her feeling dizzy, tired and with heavy legs, especially after gruelling matches.
“When I was younger, I was so full of energy,” says the 21-year-old.
“Then when I got to about 18 or 19, I would get lightheaded after matches. The team would be going out for a few drinks, and I’d have to try so hard to get the energy. I was really tired; I just wanted to lie down. I was wrecked.”
Tests showed that the Shamrocks star had low levels of iron, an essential nutrient which helps make red blood cells to transport oxygen around the body. If you haven’t got enough, it can mean symptoms including tiredness and fatigue, brain fog, headaches and dizziness.
Women with heavier periods are at risk due to the blood lost through menstruation, as well as people with vegetarian diets and women who regularly exercise.
Last year Ally took part in research conducted by ATU, in partnership with Irish iron supplement brand Active Iron, which found that 40% of inter-county camogie players are low in iron.
A few years ago I was put on some iron supplements, but they were too harsh on my gut so I didn’t carry on taking them
She is now part of Active Iron’s campaign to call for an end to women ‘suffering in silence’ with tiredness and fatigue and wants to normalise the conversation around inadequate iron levels especially for the girls following in her footsteps.
“A few years ago I was put on some iron supplements, but they were too harsh on my gut so I didn’t carry on taking them. It was a choice between being tired or feeling really bloated and uncomfortable,” says Ally.
“Then last year I was involved in the research and the supplements they were using were Active Iron. They are the only ones I found easy to take.
“About three weeks after I started taking them, I noticed training was easier. I didn’t have such heavy legs afterwards. After training I would usually feel so deflated but now I wake up the day after a match and I’m ready to go to work.”
Ally’s intense calendar includes training five days a week alongside studying Psychology at the University of Galway. She also works in a cafe at weekends, so it’s imperative she’s in peak fitness.
I think in the last five to ten years camogie has gone to a whole other level
“I think in the last five to ten years camogie has gone to a whole other level,” Ally says. “You have to be quite physical. It’s not just about being fit, you have to take the hits.
“But I really do think it’s important to talk about things like low iron. It can have such a big impact.”
Sports dietitian, lecturer and researcher at ATU Galway Nóra Ní Fhlannagáin conducted the study into the iron levels of intercounty camogie players.
“Intercounty camogie players are often training five times a week,” she said. "In games, for a championship match, GPS data shows they're covering a distance of five to seven kilometers in 60 minutes of match play – plus a warmup and potentially extra time. It’s a mix of sprinting, jogging, tackling, jumping and there’s incredible hand-eye coordination that’s required in camogie.
"As we train, we have a higher demand for iron in our bodies because it helps us to release the energy we need.
“Iron is an essential nutrient for cognition as well as energy to support endurance and strength. It’s not just running up and down a pitch, but strength in the gym is affected by low iron. It’s also really important for the immune system.”