Marie Greenan is enjoying life back in the Centra Camogie Leagues
Monaghan last fielded a senior team at Adult National Level in 2011 when they won the All-Ireland Junior B Championship (Máire Ní Chinneide Cup). 15 years later, in this years Centra League Division 3B, the county team have their first win and will have nothing to fear or lose in this division. Marie Grennan has been at the core of this group giving the same energy since the early noughties. She shared her wisdom and feelings on camogie as part of Women in Sport week.
Name: Marie Greenan
Club: Clontibret, Co Monaghan
First memory of camogie? – The day I started playing camogie in St Mary’s National school, Clontibret, my primary school. I asked the teacher could I start camogie and she handed me a hurl and I went from there. Loved it straight away.
Biggest influence? – Geraldine Clarke, she was the teacher that handed me my first hurl and she has been involved in my playing career since. I wouldn’t have had any of the experiences with Camogie if it wasn’t for her.
County Debut Year? -20 years ago 2006
Hardest position on pitch? – Goalkeeper
Best player club or county you have played against? – Roisin O’Keeffe (Cavan) top class forward.
Biggest female inspiration for camogie/ sport? My mother – played camogie also so that encouraged me to do the same. Took my sister and I to every training of any sport we played, never misses a match. And now helps out with childminding to allow me to train or play matches.
What does camogie mean to you? -It’s a lifeline, love being part of a team, great days out with your friends, gets you out of the house and shows my children how important it is to be outside and involved in sport which hopefully they will too when they are older.
What’s the best thing about camogie? – Friendships you make, memories. Winning is nice but the crack and road trips you have together are the best part. Make great memories.
Words of wisdom to a 10-year-old camogie player? – Play sport no matter what it is, winning isn’t important, just keep working on getting better and make sure to enjoy it as much as you can.
You can hear more about Monaghan’s return here
