Cork's Julia White says camogie can learn lessions on PR from other women's sports

Michael Bolton

Former Cork Camogie player Julia White is confident Cork can bounce back from their All-Ireland final defeat to Galway last August.

Cork were favourites heading into the clash last August in Croke Park, as they were in search of their third straight O'Duffy Cup.

However, it was Galway who secured the late win, as they responded from their 2024 final defeat to the Rebel county.

With much of the talk in the lead-up to the final based around a possible three-in-a-row for Cork, White says this was used as motivation for Galway in the final.

"I am sure it had in affect somehwere, there was a huge amount of hype.

"I am sure it served to motivate Galway. They mentioned in the post-match interview that they felt they were given no chance, and they used it to spur them on.

"I thought it was a fantastic final, the standard seems to be going from height to height every year. It is really positive for Camogie how the final went.

"I played with a lot of the girls that would have been involved with Cork this year. They were very focused and have a lot of experience; I don't think it would have had a massive effect on them."

Having won multiple All-Irelands, White's Cork side was another side that was the dominant side in the country.

Looking back on her career, White acknowledged Cork had a target on their back and felt it was no different for this current side.

"I would not have thought about it myself at the time, but you are always wanting to beat the team on top.

"I never would have been thinking of that in my own preparation going into a match. I treated every team with respect and expected them to bring the highest possible performance.

"I am playing a bit of soccer and different sports, and I would always raise my game to beat the team on top."

With the standard continuing to grow in Camogie, attendances and viewing figures have not quite grown at the same level.

As more Irish women move to the AFLW, White believes it may be time to look abroad for ideas on how to grow the game.

"I remember a few years ago, I was in Australia and I was going to the AFLW, and the tickets were free and there were a lot of freebies at the match.

"I am not saying this is the way to go, but there are definitely some incentives to get people out and supporting. Put it on, and people will tune in.

"The WSL over in England, in the last number of years, how much that has grown is huge. Taking note of how other organisations all over the world are doing it, there is a lot to be learned."