Amy O'Connor ‘privileged’ to take part in St Vincent’s fundraiser

CORK camogie star Amy O’Connor says she wouldn’t have achieved what she has without her club, St Vincent’s.

She will participate in a “fire-side chat” on stage at Cork Opera House on St Patrick’s night, March 17, alongside fellow sports stars Gemma O’Connor, Davy Fitzgerald, and Donal Óg Cusack.

Other talent at the St Vincent’s fundraiser will include baritone Joe Corbett; the St Vincent’s Male Voice Choir; Anthony Cotter, who is part of the White Horse guitar group; Michelle Fitzgerald, known for her beautiful voice; Lottie O’Driscoll-Murray, who is starting her music career; and the Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers children’s choir.

Amy said: “I’m a very proud St Vincent’s woman. Obviously, being on stage for something like this is something that I’m very privileged to do. I’m very lucky that I’m getting the opportunity to do this with such incredible people.

“I obviously know Gemma O’Connor very well, I played with Gemma for the best part of 10 years, and Davy Fitzgerald was my coach for a year there, a couple of years ago, as well.

“The club is a huge part of our community, something that we’re all very proud of as a community. It’s given me some great days and I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without them.”

She “will never forget” winning the All-Ireland final last year and scoring 3-7.

St Vincent’s were on hand after the game to host a homecoming for their star.

“In the lead-up in going to the club, we pulled in there by my house, just off Harbour View Road. All my neighbours were there, welcoming us back, and then we went up to the club. It was a night, genuinely, that people are still talking about,” Amy said.

“[It was] unbelievable. They couldn’t have done any more for us. It was brilliant for me to see all the people in the club that really matter. We were all up there celebrating. It wasn’t just about Cork winning the All Ireland, or Amy O’Connor being the captain: It was for the club. It was a very proud moment for me.”

Amy said that St Vincent’s have been good to her over the years, and she made special mention of the caretakers who opened the gate for her “any time, day or night” so she could go in and practice.

She is also a role model for younger members in the club.

“Just because you’re from St Vincent’s, doesn’t mean you can’t captain Cork, or you can’t go on and play senior with Cork,” she told The Echo.

“It’s important for young people to see that just because you’re from a junior club, doesn’t mean that you’ll be held back in any way,” she added.

Tickets for the fundraiser on March 17 are €30 and are available now from members of the senior-management committee and the finance and fundraising committee at St Vincent’s. Tickets booked through the Opera House may incur additional fees.

All proceeds will go towards the upkeep and redevelopment of the facilities in Páirc Uinsinn on Kilmore Road.