Limerick camogie star Sophie O'Callaghan: 'We showed incredible character to bounce back'

LIMERICK senior camogie player Sophie O'Callaghan has hailed her side's character in this year's All-Ireland senior camogie championship. After a heavy defeat in round one against Cork, Limerick have bounced back impressively with a victory over Wexford and a hard fought draw against Clare.

This Saturday, the Shannonsiders will complete their All-Ireland senior camogie championship group campaign against Tipperary at 1pm in Cappamore.

“It would have been easy to lie down after the Cork game. The Wexford and Clare game were really important. We didn't have too much time to dwell on what happened against Cork, we showed incredible character to bounce back the next week and the week after,” said Sophie O'Callaghan.

In April, Limerick suffered a 4-13 to 0-10 defeat against Tipperary in the opening round of the Munster championship. Last year, Joe Quaid's charges were defeated 7-18 to 0-6 by Tippeary in the All-Ireland championship.

“Tipp coming this weekend will be another huge challenge, all we can do is see where we are after that.”

A sublime stoppage time free from captain Caoimhe Costelloe secured Limerick a share of the spoils in their Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship clash with Clare in round three.

“We were under the cosh a bit against Clare, especially in the second half. We just dug deep as players we just showed incredible fight and character. When the score was so tight, we only scored 1-9, every score was important. That last free that Caoimhe hit, and from playing with her with the club, I knew she would slot it over.

“Caoimhe is an incredible leader and an incredible person in our group. It wasn't an easy free, a draw is definitely a better result than a loss,” added the Adare native.

O'Callaghan feels Limerick are in a good position heading into their final group game on Saturday.

“We weren't too happy with a couple of the results in the league. Obviously Wexford and Clare beat us in the league so to have turned around and have beaten Wexford and got a draw with Clare, we have showed huge improvement in the last couple of weeks.”

A result against Tipperary would see Limerick reach the quarter-finals of the All-Ireland senior camogie championship.
Meanwhile, Limerick sit on three points with a score difference of (-35), while Clare are just ahead of them with a score difference (+3) also on three points. A defeat would mean Limerick would need the Banner County to suffer heavy defeats to both Cork and Clare in their final two groups.

“If we get a result this weekend, we are probably into an All-Ireland quarter-final, if not we are hoping that other things go our way, but to be safe in senior championship especially with how competitive it is, we are delighted with that. And we've had a huge turnover in the squad with the last two games we are happy with where we are at the moment,” added O'Callaghan.

The West Limerick woman saw an improvement in her side's Munster championship defeat to Tipp compared to last year's performance against the Premier county in the All-Ireland championship.

“Last year, we played them in Rathkeale, it was a tough day out and they obviously put up a big score, but we were happy enough with aspects of our performance in the Munster championship this year in Thurles.

“Obviously when you give a team like Tipp two goals and a point on their first three attacks it is always going to be hard to get a result. We worked hard that day and we're hoping not to have as bad as a start on Saturday. Tipp have quality up front, you just can't give them a start like that. Our work-rate that day was really good and we are hoping to replicate that and see where we end up after that.”

Limerick will have a bye in the final round and O'Callaghan said her side's full focus is on this weekend.

“If we can get a result, we are in control of our fate then if not you are kind of waiting to see how other things go. Cork and Clare are playing this weekend as well. Between our match and their match, you'll know a lot after 5pm. You don't want to be relying on other teams for favours as well, we know what we have to do.”

O'Callaghan said it is a major positive for camogie players to be able to wear shorts in this year's championship.

“We have been crying out for this for a couple of years and in fairness to the GPA they had our back. It is just easier for players and girls have that choice as well, so if girls want to wear skorts they can which is nice as well.

“We're delighted to have the option and to be able to wear the shorts is great. This will be our fourth championship game wearing the shorts.”