Cork's Lauren Homan ready for Kilkenny challenge

Tomorrow is huge for Cork camogie – not only because the seniors chase their second consecutive All-Ireland title, but the intermediates, led by captain Lauren Homan, have the opportunity to make it a double after defeating Offaly in their semi-final.

“It was definitely one of the toughest games to date this season,” Lauren begins. “The bodies were really sore after, it was end to end. I feel only for a defence that were so solid, Aoife Barrett especially, they kept us in that game.

“They put Offaly’s forwards under serious pressure and gave them nothing easy. I think nine of their scores came from frees as well, so I think that's something we need to look at is to keep our free count down, but I think it's really good that like teams aren’t getting much from play from us.” 

They got over the line and face Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final, and it’s an opportunity that Homan is proud to have, regardless of the outcome.

We're buzzing. At the start of the year, our goal was to get to the final. So we've ticked that off.

“So the next goal is obviously to win and get off the steps of the Hogan Stand, especially like we've such a young group that came in with lots of minors and we've experienced girls,” she says. “We're a really tight group and we had to take the younger girls under our wings as well a bit.

“We've learned so much from them and they've learned so much from us, so we're just so excited and regardless of the result, we will still be well able to hold our heads up high and go again.

“Obviously seniors come first in the county, they're seniors for a reason.

“So we're just going to be driving and backing them as much as we can, but again, we've to focus on ourselves. It's brilliant having two teams up there and the support, hopefully will double a bit, but we just want to focus on ourselves right now.

“We’re the first game out there, so hopefully we can set a standard, win and hopefully that will drive the girls on to go out and do the double.” 

PRIVILEGE

As captain, Homan’s job in the team comes with additional responsibility, and if her tally of 1-7 against Offaly is anything to go by, she continues to relish it.

“It's a privilege. I’m delighted to be captain, but at the end of the day, it's only a title. My job is just to kind of keep the girls going and pushing them on, and hopefully get to lift the cup at the end of it. But I am so privileged that Donie [Daly] chose me and trusted me.

Winning a potential double and being part of what would be such an incredible achievement as captain and one of the more experienced players on the team – would be special in its own right, but does Lauren feel like it’s an opportunity to inspire future generations?

“I haven't thought about it until now!” she laughs. “But you just want to leave your position and Cork camogie in a better place than what you came into.

“Camogie is changing every year, like even the rules, we're more like on the men's side now regarding the rules, it’s more physical and hopefully like in the next few years again by the time we all retire that it'll be in a way better position than it was for us and for those younger girls.

That's the goal at the end of the day, just leave it in a better position than what you got.

The game itself is evolving and so too is the support – something that has been a real boost for Cork this season.

“Even here tonight like the crowds of young girls and young boys even, coming out. It's not often you see the boys coming out, but I think with camogie, the standard has just gone to another level.

“The support is going to another level, even the semi-final the other day against Offaly there was a really good crowd in Thurles, and the crowd actually drove us on towards the end when the legs were going and we were getting tired. The crowds are growing and it does make a huge difference when you're playing on the pitch.