Laura Treacy on stepping away from Cork: Camogie has been my life for years
Cork's Laura Treacy breaks from Tipperary's Casey Hennessy. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
She has never been someone to shy away from difficult decisions, but Laura Treacy admitted retiring from inter-county camogie was one of the most difficult ones she ever had to make.
After 14 years as a senior player, Laura announced her retirement from the red jersey recently. It’s been part of her life for many years, as before playing at senior level, Laura was also involved with U14, U16, and minor sides over the years.
“In simple terms, yes, it was an incredibly difficult decision,” said 30-year-old Laura. “It has been my life for 14 seasons, but you could say I've been playing camogie since I was about six years of age.
“It was my dream, probably from six to 16, to play with the Cork senior team at some point. So I was probably driving for that for 10 years.
"Then, when I hit 16, I got the opportunity. I was called up by Paudie Murray that year, and I've been there since, so I guess you could say it's been a lifetime, but one that I certainly don't regret.
“It's exactly where I wanted to be and where I wanted to continue to push myself and push standards of Cork camogie as a whole.
“I got to do that in abundance, and yes, I probably made massive sacrifices, missing trips with friends from home, birthdays and weddings, and you know, bed early and stuff.
“But looking back, since the GPA announced my retirement, the messages coming through and the phone calls, and pictures being sent on and everything. I'm looking back at it already as such a special time and such a privilege to have gotten to fulfil my dream.”
There have been many highlights for Laura over the years, including All-Ireland titles, All-Stars, Munster championship and league titles, but she said one game stands out for her above the rest.
“When you look back on games, I would have been critical of my own performances and maybe the performance of the team. I would have constantly wanted the team and myself to be better. There was never a game where it's ever going to be perfect, but I guess you're striving for perfection.
“But one that really popped out of my head is the 2023 All-Ireland semi-final against Galway at Nowlan Park.
“I just think that game was as close to perfect as we were probably going to play, not hurling-wise, but how we went about it and the work rate that the girls brought that day.
“It clicked at the right time, as we had struggled to get over Galway for so long leading into that game, and we had a hard route to the final.
“We ended up playing Kilkenny in the quarter-final that year, and that was in Croke Park. We got over that, and we were really approaching it one game at a time.
“Galway were kind of a bogey team for us. Thinking back now, from my own personal performance, I think it's one that I would have always gone back on over the last few years. I suppose you're always trying to remind yourself of how you played and the positive aspects of it.
“I wasn't perfect, and I don't think I ever had the perfect performance that I was striving for, but that was close to it. And as a team to get over Galway that day, the girls really dug deep, and there were huge performances all over the pitch. I think that's probably one of the very special ones.
“They had beaten us twice already that season, and we seemed to struggle at times against them. It's not that Galway where miles better than us, but they always seemed to just be able to grind out the win.
“We really struggled like to manage them, but we turned it around for that game and yeah, that one in particular just stands out and puts a smile across my face when I think about it.”
So what kept Laura playing for so long, and why retire now?
“It's kind of scary when people are saying like 14 years involved in the senior team. I have played Cork minor and U16, and U14 development and stuff. So I've been wearing a Cork jersey for longer than I haven’t in my lifetime.
“But it brought me huge personal joy, trying to improve myself, my own standards, me as a player. I was always striving to be better, and I always felt like each year I could do that. It was a thought that I gave each year - can I be better, and where can I improve?
“That’s probably what drove me personally. Then I have unbelievable friends from camogie, and I basically enjoyed the challenge of it every year.
“Then maybe the younger girls coming into the panel, and bring them along and give them, I guess, what older girls gave me.
“So there are probably many different factors as to why I continue to play, but I enjoyed it at the end of the day.
“But there has to come a time where a new chapter needs to start, and there has been a few little niggles in the body over the past few years that probably haven't allowed me to train as much and play to maybe the standard that I would like to play.
“So the decision wasn't a sudden one. I guess it was probably a decision that was happening over months and maybe over the last even 12 months.
“But I just feel like it's the right time to go and see what else life can offer in other chapters and try and enjoy this new chapter to the best of my ability.”
She also confirmed she is not sure, due to her injuries, if she will continue to play with her club Killeagh.
“Right at this moment, I don't have an answer, but I hope to. I would love to give back to the club. I've probably been gone for the club set up for longer than I nearly played with the club, so it would be a goal of mine to play with Killeagh, but at this moment in time, with the injuries, I’m not sure."
For now, Laura is enjoying a well-earned rest and looking forward to what the next chapter will bring and said she will be at the Cork games and is looking forward to supporting them from the stand this year.
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