Women in Sport: Caoimhe Costelloe, Limerick senior camogie player

Caoimhe Costelloe has been one of the most dominant players on the Limerick camogie team over the last number of years and most recently won a Munster Junior Championship with her club, Adare.

How did you get into your chosen sport?

Hurling and camogie were always part of my life growing up. My dad played with Adare and I guess my interest came from seeing Adare win their first county title in 2001 when I was 5 and that probably sparked an interest in it for me.

I joined the camogie club around then and I was very lucky that my interest in sport was fostered both at home and in school. I have always loved playing camogie and I’ve been very lucky to play with and against some of the best camogie players.

Who was your sporting hero growing up and your sporting hero now?

Conor Fitzgerald was my sporting hero growing up. He played with Adare and Limerick and was very successful. I was fortunate enough that my dad was involved with Adare when they did the three-in-a-row and getting to go watch their trainings was a dream.

There was no shortage of heroes– Mark Foley, Wayne McNamara, Donnacha Sheehan, Stephen Lavin, Declan Hannon etc. Nowadays, I admire many of my own teammates who have overcome serious injuries, Lorraine McCarthy being the teammate I admire most.

ACL injuries are unfortunately far too common in female sport. I have so much respect and admiration for the girls who dedicate themselves to their rehab. It is often a difficult and lonely time away from the group, getting it right.

What is the most memorable moment in your career so far?

Winning the Munster Junior Club Championship last year with Adare was very special. It was beyond our wildest dreams and it was such a nice moment to share with our families and community.

I am privileged to have been part of that group. With Limerick, 2014 brought so many special days, winning the Minor All-Ireland in May and going on to win the Intermediate All-Ireland in Croke Park in September was the stuff of dreams. It is the memories made enjoying and celebrating those victories afterwards with our teammates and families that I treasure most.

What would you change in your sport today to help women?

I would love to see more promotion of camogie on a national level. Young girls need to see women representing their county in the same way they see the men on the television each weekend of the summer. TG4 have been great leaders of this in ladies Gaelic football. RTE’s coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer was incredible.

Every game played at that World Cup was televised and I have no doubt seeing the likes of Katie McCabe on the television will have inspired so many young girls around Ireland to play soccer. The same needs to be done for camogie.

What is an important lesson you have learnt in your sport?

Sport provides so many important life lessons. Sport has taught me the importance of teamwork and being a good teammate. Being resilient is also an important lesson I have learned.

Life is full of various challenges and sport has taught me valuable skills on how to deal with some of those.