Player Profile Championship 2011
Sara Murphy, a star with the Kerry Minor Camogie Team and the newly crowned Munster Camogie Poc Fada Champion chats about her camogie career to date, Poc Fada and pre-match rituals ahead of this weekend’s Poc Fada championships in the Annaverna Mountains on Saturday July 30th.
Name: Sara Murphy
Club: Causeway but I currently play with Newcastlewest in Limerick.
County: Kerry
Occupation: Student
Honours with camogie: National Feile na nGael Title with Kerry 2008. All Ireland Gold medallist in Community Games long puck 2008. U14 Co. League medal 2008. Player of the year in 2009 & 2010 at Causeway Comprehensive School. Munster Colleges 7’s Schools Title 2010.
Honours with Poc Fada: County Champion 2010 & 2011 and Munster Champion 2011
What do you like about Poc Fada?
I competed for the first time in 2010 and I didn’t know what to expect in Thurles, but the experience I got from that day, helped me this year in making sure I got around the corners without pucking the ball out over the line! Seeing all the players really determined to give it a go in their county jerseys was cool. I had two little girls in Kerry jerseys as my markers which was also very cool!
What was it like winning the Munster Poc Fada title?
It was so close at the end with only a puck of a ball between Limerick and myself that I was delighted to win it! I couldn’t believe it when I was told by the organisers that I had it. The gear we got is fab too! To represent your county is the ultimate honour, and being the first Kerry player to do it makes it even more special.
Favourite sporting moment: Winning a national Feile title with the girls I grew up with was a great feeling as we were beaten in the 2007 final by a point.
Worst sporting moment: Losing the 2007 Feile Final!!!
Favourite camogie player: Mary O’ Connor
Favourite GAA player: Lar Corbett
Favourite sports star: Rory McElroy
Biggest sporting influence:
My brothers all play and our tussles in the back garden would really stand to you in a match. My parents are hugely supportive of me and being the only girl in the family, they make sure I don’t get left out!
Do you have any pre-match rituals before big games:
A grey hair-band has to be worn at all matches.
Last book you read:
How many miles to Babylon by Jennifer Johnston
Last film you watched: Bridesmaids
Favourite holiday destination:
Im only 16, so I haven’t travelled that much yet! However, I love the west of Ireland so it has to be Galway.
Best piece of sporting advice:
Always try your best at training and listen to your trainers.
Worst piece of sporting advice: To be aggressive. It’s not me.
Favourite music: Rhiana
Pre match tune- what song do you listen to before every game: I don’t have one
If you did not play camogie, what other sport do you think you would play at a high level?
Football! Being from Kerry it’s only natural I suppose that I would play it. I play Junior with Causeway and really enjoy it as the fitness you have helps in Camogie!
Top two things you would like to see changed in camogie- Dropping the hurley to pass the ball and more TV coverage for the games.
Sports event you would most like to see: The Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
What are your sporting ambitions for 2011: To do my best in the Poc Fada!
* Sara Murphy pictued with fellow Munster competitors at this year’s Munster Poc Fada Championship Final…
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