Episode 8: Alison Maguire One Club Initative

In thus week's episode I'm joined by former Dublin star Alison Maguire, where we take a look back at the weekend's action,. We also discuss the GAA one club initative and how it works and the advatages of it for camogie, and how integration will help the camogie going forward. If you would like to get in touv=ch with the show about the one club initative and your own club's experience with feel free to contact us on our Instagram or on X, or you can email the pod at talkingcamogiepodcast@gmail.com We also have a look at the upcoming weekend's fixtures.

Don't forget to follow us on our Instagram page where you can find us at talkingcamogiepodcast and also on X where we are @talkingcamogiepod and our email address is talkingcamogiepodcast@gmail.com.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

And you're very welcome to the latest episode of the Talk and Comoge podcast. I'm joined this week by a farmer stalwart of the Dublin Komogie team. She played over 10 years for the Dublin Komoge team and she's also played for St. Vincent's, where she won eight county championships and and she won two Leinster Club Championships with St. Vincent. Alison McGuire, you're very welcome to the pod.

SPEAKER_00 0:20

Thank you very much, Joe, for having me. Yeah, I'm delighted to be involved.

SPEAKER_01 0:24

I hope you're enjoying the good weather we're having at the moment.

SPEAKER_00 0:26

Oh, absolutely. Yeah. Summer hurling is fully back in action anyway.

SPEAKER_01 0:30

No, so there's an interesting weekend for in the like the championship, especially senior. Like your own county Dublin were beaten by Claire in the end with two points. But that was a disappointing result, but probably could have no complaints with the over Claire seemed to be the better team for most of the game.

SPEAKER_00 0:44

Yeah, I saw a few highlights off it, and I wasn't down there myself, but I'd say, yeah, Dublin were disappointed, obviously, with uh the performance. I think kind of it's a slow enough start between the two of them. And then I suppose just Claire kind of took hold of the second and third quarter. And I think Lorna McNamara from Clare, you know, scoring 2-7 is a very good achievement, you know. And I think you know, Dublin will be disappointed. Um winning, you know, going down to Claire. It's a tough enough group that they're in, and so every kind of result counts. So yeah, they'll be very disappointed. But they did claw back, but I suppose just time ran out of them at the end. They scored two last goals or last so what I mean, good goals, which uh yeah, brought us at three points, but just couldn't get over the line, you know, to get the draw or get the win.

SPEAKER_01 1:29

Uh look, we'll talk more about that in a few minutes when we get into the weekend review. But just a quick same mention of what's coming up, we'll obviously look at the weekend's actions in the senior championship. And we'll also have a chat about the one club initiative, which I know your own club, St. Vincent, are a part of. We'll have a good look into that one. I just want to remind everyone that we're on Instagram at Talk and Kamoge Podcast. And you can also find us on X at Talk and Kamoge Pod. And if you want to get in contact with the show, you can email us at talk and komogeepodcast at gmail.com. And you can listen to us on Delights of Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts, among many others. So look, I suppose we'll just jump into the weekend's action anyway, I suppose. And look, we start, I suppose, with the clear Dublin game. Look, as we said, clear look, but probably deserved winners. Like I was looking at stats right for the game, and like Dublin shooting accuracy was only like 48%. And I was watching, I was watching the game uh about like 10 minutes ago, maybe 15 minutes ago. It was as low as 30, some 34, 35. So really at that level, you can't really be shooting accuracy that low, or you're looking to win many games, are you?

SPEAKER_00 2:35

Yeah, no, absolutely not. And I suppose it's surprising enough um in terms of like the Dublin forwards are fantastic. You know, you look at the inside forward line of like Ashmar, Ash O'Neill, and Ash Gannon, and you know, they're amazing players, and I'd always have them in high percentages. And likewise, like Grace O'Shea, Kerry Finnegan, potentially just an off day, but I suppose they just need to park that now and yeah, move on. That's the only thing they can do in in that kind of regard.

SPEAKER_01 3:04

And look, as much as you say the word, like it's still the only well, what a brilliant save away from actually from Dory Murphy from getting a draw that you put off a great save, but basically the last puck of the game, like so you know, so like at the same time, they nearly did end up getting a point out, which would have been a great result for them.

SPEAKER_00 3:21

Like, I think yeah, no, absolutely, yeah. Yeah, and maybe they could have got, yeah, like you said, uh a result in terms of either a draw or a win. But I suppose probably Claire were the better team on the day. Yeah, Dublin would be fairly disappointed, I'd imagine, with their their performance down in Clare. But yeah, they'll have lots of things to work on this week, and it's a quick turnaround now playing Kilkenny um this weekend. So yeah, they've they can't, I suppose, dwell on that result, they'll just have to move on to the next game.

SPEAKER_01 3:53

And look, they're like obviously Laura McMurray was the key player, like she got two seven altogether, two three coming from play, like in this Dublin didn't seem to have an answer for her at all, right? When you join the game, no matter what they seem to do. Like, just Elle turned the ball, went into what she called problems.

SPEAKER_00 4:08

Yeah, she was fantastic, and I suppose even from the the league final, the 1B league final where she got players a match and was brilliant. Maybe that's something that they probably could have looked at into a little bit more in terms of how to kind of stop her from doing business like that. But yeah, like I said, they'll be very disappointed. And you know, even I suppose two three from play is you know a fantastic score for Lorna to get, but I'd say Dublin will be disappointed to allow her to get that amount of scores from play.

SPEAKER_01 4:36

And like obviously for Claire now getting off to Win Start like three points, or puts him in a strong position out there, maybe try again to the top two. And they've been in good form this year overall, anyway. Like even winning the league and then give them off for the good game in the Munster Championship. So they're obviously going to be full of confidence now going forward. Like in you'd have would you expect them to maybe if they do get to quarter final that they could give one of the teams that come out of the other group a good game like would you?

SPEAKER_00 5:02

Yeah, I think so. And I think in this particular group, I think form is going to be a big thing in terms of you know, particularly in group two, where they get more matches, like the more wins they get, the better they play, the more confidence that they have, and you know, whoever gets out of group two will have played more games than those in group one, and you know, hopefully that they can kind of keep that momentum going. And you know, yeah, so I'd say whoever does get out of group two, they will go in with with a belief that they can beat any of the so-called you know top four um counties and you know make it into a semi-final.

SPEAKER_01 5:35

And just again on Dublin, like get your view of them so far this year. Like, look, there's I've watched them a few times and I've been impressed with them drawing games at times, but they never seem to just finish out a game. I get a full 60-minute performance, like the final the first half they were brilliant like that, and then second half just didn't show up. Or I know Wexford were good as well, but like just and then on Saturday they just seemed to struggle to get going really.

SPEAKER_00 5:59

I must say, yeah, the Wexford, the Leinster final in the first half, they were sensational. You know, every ball was sticking, every score. I think they had a wide, they might have had one wide in the whole half. You know, it was really, really good hurling to watch. And obviously that kind of fell off in the second half. Wexford obviously came in back into it and had, I suppose, that little bit more uh momentum even into the into extra time. But you know, they know that what they can do, they have really, really good forwards and backs, and you know, I suppose Chine Wilde and Gabby Cage in midfield, two of the fittest people I know, up and down. So yeah, they just need to, I suppose, get that 60 minutes performance in. You know, they do if they do that, they'll they can match anyone on their day, but it's a in and out of games, and you know, like I said, if you looked at that Wexford first half, they could have beaten anyone, but then I suppose flipped that into the second half, and yeah, it it wasn't as good. So I suppose, yeah, in terms of the the managers and management and players, what they will probably thrive to do over the next couple of weeks is to try to get that 60-minute performance because it's senior Kamogi Championship like it has to be done.

SPEAKER_01 7:10

As I said, like they've got 310 in the end, like 3-7 was from play, like so it's not like seven points for play, it's not great, like really when you go up with it for this level, like you know, and if you need to be getting a lot more if you are going to be, I suppose, challenging it, especially if you're going to be playing if you do get two through quarterfinal and you're gonna be playing one of the top teams, like you know.

SPEAKER_00 7:30

Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, absolutely. I'd say that, yeah, they probably were disappointed with only scoring seven points from play. Was it because you know the accuracy, they probably were still getting the shots off, but it was just maybe their accuracy that let them down. But yeah, I'd imagine this week that's probably what one of their focuses was on was you know, making sure that that ball sticks and that ball goes over the bar, you know, cut out the shorts or cut out the widespread. But you know, a positive of that is that they are getting the shots. Um I suppose last weekend they didn't convert as much as they would have liked, but flip that around. The positive is that they are getting the shots off, and you know, you you want them to keep taking the shots and hopefully they'll they will drop.

SPEAKER_01 8:09

Yeah, and look, also from respect out of the game, Claire were Claire did play brilliantly as well. Like Claire shooting I could see was 75%. So, like, you know, you're up against that, like, and they are a very good team clear as well. Like some right good players like you know, Clave Hair, Abby Walsh, like you know, like Russia McMahon and like Russian Baby as well. Like she got four points to play as well in the game. So, you know, it's not like two up against the batch fighter either.

SPEAKER_00 8:32

Like, you know, and as we said already, Claire are in a great form, like so it was a tough game, it was always gonna be a tough game, but especially if you don't need in it as well, like oh yeah, any kind of game on the road is always gonna be tough for um for any team, and you know, you're coming to their home patch, and you know, they obviously were in really good form after performing well against Waterford in the Munster Championship and then performing well against Dublin. So, yeah, they were going in, you know, full of confidence, and yeah, it did stand to them, I think, and even the home venue and you know a scene we was quite warm, so they didn't have to travel very far. And yeah, but like it's you know, it's it's only it's only one match into it. Um, I don't think Dublin would be getting too disheartened by it. It's just important now that they kind of fully focus now on winning um the remaining games.

SPEAKER_01 9:20

And like one thing I noticed about the game, when Dublin they started with the sweeper and they kind of had the sweeper there, they seemed to struggle, they couldn't get any momentum going. And it's only when they changed away from the sweeper then that started coming into the game a bit more in the second half. So do you think they left the sweeper there a bit too long then in the end?

SPEAKER_00 9:37

Yeah, potentially. Do you know if I suppose if they'd won the game, uh that wouldn't be kind of what we would be talking about, we'd be saying maybe it was a it was a good idea, but I suppose each game is different and you know what's going well and what's going not so well. But I think it's important to adapt. You know, Dublin obviously did adapt and they noticed maybe that the sweeper wasn't working as well, so then they did push up and you know got a few extra scores. So yeah, maybe that's food for thought for them for the next couple of weeks in terms of you know adapting to the different teams that they're going to be playing against.

SPEAKER_01 10:09

Yeah, and look, that's all like obviously now Dublin, as we said, if they're kinning now at home at the weekend, then it's supposed it's a bit of a must-win game for them. Like, so you know, because if you lose two games, it's well you're in a lot of trouble then in that group because only only two teams getting out, and then Wexford or clear are travelling to Wexford and Sunday or Saturday as well. So for both teams are clear now in a bit of strong position, but like Dublin is kind of a must-win already now for them at this stage.

SPEAKER_00 10:33

Yeah, no, absolutely. I'd say the aim is now to win every remaining game in the group, you know, because it's such a competitive group, anyone can beat anyone on the day. So yeah, I'd say Dublin would definitely be looking forward, you know, over the next couple of weeks to yeah, every match is a must-win for them, you know, if they want to get out of the group and into the quarterfinals. Um, and yeah, so there's no better time to be playing Kilkenny in Parnell Park after uh the hurlers at the weekend.

SPEAKER_01 11:00

And like also on Sunday, we had Kilkinny and Limerick in the same group. Look, Kilkenny had a comfortable win by Dobbas Borle, Tibetan in between 19 to 111. So look, I suppose there was question match about Kilkenny maybe coming into the game, you know, after they're supposed poor enough league perform and then losing to Westford International Championship. But there's answers that's somewhat in there anyway in that game, anyway. So they have like an impressive win like against Limerick.

SPEAKER_00 11:23

Yeah, no, absolutely. Like to win, I suppose, in senior championship, I think by about 13 or 14 points, yeah, is a really good achievement. And you know, the likes of Eva Norris, Eva Prendergast, like Laura Murphy, they still have a lot of experience while they might have an awful lot of younger players as well. You know, they do have a good spine of the team that have been there before. Yeah, in terms of I suppose Eva Prendergast, I suppose, you know, scoring two eight is fantastic. And then it's eight different scores as well. I mean, I think that is always a sign of a good team when the scoring distribution is like amongst a number of different people. Do you know what I mean? They're not only solely reliant on you know, two or three people. You know, if you can get eight people scoring for you, you know, you'll be in good stead to win the game.

SPEAKER_01 12:13

Yeah. And look, Librick, while it's a disappointing defeat for them, like watching a game, I thought there was some good for them, and so maybe at times like playing shoot a bit, like there's some been a good butt up hit ball. Just maybe at times they overdid it, and then when they got the ball into the forwards, they strew with a bit like they seem to be missing, I suppose, uh quality forward like a little bit, like no one that does good go up there, like and the shoot within less than down a bit at times.

SPEAKER_00 12:38

Yeah, they started off well, got one-one without reply. I think it was Sarah O'Brien that got the goal. But no, like they have decent forwards up there. You know, they had a couple of good uh Sarah O'Brien, Laura Southern, Donna Kenny got a good couple of scores there as well. And you know, I think that yeah, maybe they aren't fully reliant on one particular player, but if everyone can step up on the day, you know, particularly the inside line, um, I do think that they can trouble people or sorry, trouble different um teams in that uh group too.

SPEAKER_01 13:14

Off you know, coming up next, but I suppose that's the big one for them now as well. Like, you know, because if they lose that, they'll probably be in trouble for a relegation battle, like, but and that's a master one for them, especially a home like they can get a win on that one. It would set them up, keep them in and keep them interested in the championship going forward then as well. But to lose that, they could be in a lot of trouble.

SPEAKER_00 13:32

Like, yeah, it's similar enough I suppose to Dublin in terms of Limerick. Limerick will probably be looking at their remaining matches, saying every single one of them are are must win if they want to get out of the group. And obviously, you know, if you lose two matches, it's very difficult to get out. So, no, I'd imagine that yeah, their focus obviously is on Offaly. You know, Offaly will be high after beating Wexford by a point. But yeah, I suppose Limerick at home, it's it's important for them, you know, to get a good start in at their home venue.

SPEAKER_01 14:03

Yeah, and look, that's what that's like obviously it's a lot of big way coming up. But just go through the the intermediate challenge start and the violet again. We'll just quickly go through that. Like in group one, Derry not Ed, Antrim 315, and Kerry not 10, Down 1-6. While in group two, Meat were beaten by Westmeat 112 to 413, and each had a 315-2.9 win over Carlow. So, like this was for group one, they're like Antrim and Kerry, they're probably two favourites in that group, and don't they but got off to win a start? Like Antrim had a very impressive win over Derry, while Kerry just scraped through against Down. So, look, they'd be happy with the start, like so give them something to build on going forward. Like you expected two of them to be favourites to come out of that group.

SPEAKER_00 14:45

Yeah, I'd imagine so, in terms of yeah, Antrim had a very convincing win over Derry and Brochy McCormick got a fantastic goal, actually. I saw it online. And yeah, I'd imagine Antrim and Kerry, yeah, the two of them will be favourites to come out of it. Um, and obviously Kerry after winning the uh division two league, you know, they'll be full of confidence as well in terms of just I suppose getting getting the wins in the group and then making it out um of the group into the semi-finals and then a potential final.

SPEAKER_01 15:15

And like in group two, look, I suppose West Meat beating Meat was a bit of a surprise result in many ways. Like Meat seemed to be going well. Like we're an hooky maybe to lose to the Kerry in the league final, division two league final, like probably a better team for a lot of it, like, but maybe disappointing, especially losing a home there to West Meat in that, like Yeah, I'd imagine, you know, even with the local rivalry and you know being so close to each other that yeah, they would have 100% wanted to have beaten Westmead.

SPEAKER_00 15:43

But no, they came out of the block strong and fast, and yeah, yeah, they ended up obviously beating Mead. And yeah, I suppose in that group as well, you know, in terms of Leash beating Carlo. I mean yeah, it'll be interesting to see, I suppose, you know, when Mead play Leash and when Westmead play Carlo, you know, to see where they stand um in that regard and then who's going to come out of that group.

SPEAKER_01 16:06

Should be an interesting championship though, I think, and could go there's a few things as far as I fancy the chances of get winning it in the end. Like we have we had the junior championship underway and just in round one, Mio 1-8, Lout 4-8. And Monatin had an impressive win over Donegal on a 5.14 to 3-6 scoreline. So look, great stats for Monaten, I suppose, and Lout. So they'll be they seem to be the strongest team with that at the moment. Like in you could end up it should be a fascinating championship as well.

SPEAKER_00 16:36

Oh yeah, no, absolutely absolutely. Like everyone, I suppose it's championship time now, to know every county team wants to be wants to be in at the action. And yeah, I suppose it's fair for the taking, you know, every county, like I said, want whatever grading that you're in, and you know, you want to win every game that you play and you want to yeah, get silverware at the end of the day.

SPEAKER_01 16:53

And look, that's the end of that's reviewed last weekend's action. So we move on now to the the one club initiative. And I know like your own club, St. Vincent's are one of the clubs, like there's a a good few clubs around the country involved in it. But if you could just explain explain the one club initiative, and for those who don't understand it, like and what's how you find it like up there with St. Vincent's yourselves up there.

SPEAKER_00 17:15

Yeah, so so it's in St. Vincent's we operate like as a single club community, so we're not like a hurling club, we're not a comoge club, we're not a football club, we're a one club community. So we have obviously ladies' football, hurling comogi, you know, we've Gaelic for mothers and others, we've all-stars, and we're all underneath the umbrella term of St. Vincent's GA Club. Um, I suppose what that means for us in terms of as a female athlete, you know, we have access to the pitches the same as the lads do, in terms of the executive. There's one executive with different members from each code on it, in terms of juveniles as well. In terms of even fundraising events, you know, there's we'd have shared fundraisers, particularly in terms of for a whole club. And it's actually happening this Saturday. We're doing like an iconic Camino walk um with the club, and there's about 200 people, volunteers, players, mentors, parents, you know, walking the it's called the iconic Camino, but it's uh the Wicklow way. And that's one fundraising event that the club are are doing, and yeah, that money will be pumped back into the club for every team to use so in terms of potential new dressing rooms and things like that. But yeah, I think it's very much so an equality thing in terms of you know, it doesn't matter what team that you're on, but you still, you know, in terms of even gear and branding, you know, people have access to to getting the same gear. And yeah, I think it's a really, really good club and good initiative. And I think it's probably what most clubs in Dublin and throughout other different counties, yeah, would like to be because yeah, it's it's very much just with one single community club, we have access to the same pitches that the senior hurlers do. Um so yeah, no, I must say it's uh yeah, a really, really enjoyable uh club to be a part of.

SPEAKER_01 19:15

I think the whole white club initiative itself, like do you feel it works better, like maybe a city areas or would it hurt towards rural areas or would it be the same all over the place, really, would you feel?

SPEAKER_00 19:28

Yeah, it's hard to know in terms of, you know, I suppose in rural areas the the I suppose clubs might be a little bit smaller and there might be a Kamogi club or a football club. But yeah, I suppose in terms of the even when we talk about like the amalgamation and you know, creating a one club policy, maybe different smaller clubs could amalgamate her. I I don't know how it potentially would work in a rural setting, but all I know is kind of from my point of view up here in Dublin with St. Vincent's, yeah, it works extremely well. You know, we are all along the same page and yeah, we're all underneath the same umbrella, regardless if you're an under-8 footballer, if you're an all-stars, if you're Gaelic for Mother and others, or if you're a senior comoge player, um, it doesn't matter. We're all kind of treated the same and as uh yes, uh St. Vincent's um player.

SPEAKER_01 20:22

And like, have you found like with the one club, does it help like with the visibility of camoge, like within the club and that like would there like you were mentioned equality earlier on? Is there genuine equality that you feel with within it, like with with men and women? Like, would you find that?

SPEAKER_00 20:37

Yeah, yeah, no, absolutely. And like I said, even say for the pitch allocation, you know, we'd get our slots just like the hurlers, just just like the senior footballers, and likewise, even kind of our PRO, it would be the same in terms of you know putting out you know our results or putting out our matches, it would be the same in terms of if there's a hurling match on, if there's a comoge championship match on, it would be highlighted on social media, regardless of what level it's at.

SPEAKER_01 21:05

And like in terms of fixed, if we're any feature tasks if they're involved if you're on say ahead of the weekend like that, or would it be alright for that perspective?

SPEAKER_00 21:15

Yeah, no, and all fairness, in terms of even say within the ladies' football and the commodity section, you know, they work well together to make sure that that doesn't happen so that the players get the opportunity to play both. You know, I know we have a couple of dual players on our team, and yeah, I suppose it's just about communication and different managements talking to each other and you know making sure that the player welfare the players put first and you know it's it's up to them in terms of yeah, to if the decision isn't really left on them, they're told nearly this is where you go, this is what you do, because I think it will benefit the player as much.

SPEAKER_01 21:54

Look, obviously, the whole thing is to do with I suppose the whole input integration of Overall between Kamoge, the LGFA, and the GAA. So I suppose that's the perspective it's coming from. And maybe just get your own opinion on that whole interrogation situation, like and how you feel about it. And you think that's the same thing. Yeah, I do.

SPEAKER_00 22:12

I think it's important. Um I know they had the deadline for 2027. Whether or not that happens, I suppose it remains to be seen. But yeah, from what I gather, I think they're trying to get a unified club um and county structure so that you know clubs are one club model. And then in terms of in for inter-county, it's uh the integration of like the GAA, the ladies' football, and the Camogey. And I think, yeah, fingers crossed, it does happen. Um I think it'll benefit everyone involved. And in terms of particularly, say, for female athletes and you know, fix your clashes and you know, access to facilities and intercounty level. Um, I really do think that that will benefit them once everyone is under the one umbrella. And yeah, it just creates that one club feel, you know, in terms of even with Dublin GAA, they've actually we've we've won website now for all the intercounty teams. And so I think like they've been one of the first kind of county teams to do that in terms of taking or the county board even to take the like all of the the wet or all of the individual websites. And yeah, so they're all part of now Dublin GAA in terms of the website, um, which is yeah, which is a really good initiative. And yeah, I think in the future that'll hopefully be the case across the board and for other counties.

SPEAKER_01 23:38

And look, obviously they're the with the one club initiative. Is there anything you feel that maybe improvements could be made with it or make it better?

SPEAKER_00 23:47

With the one club initiative?

SPEAKER_01 23:48

Yeah, one club initiative, yeah. Well no overall, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 23:51

Not really like I think even from my perspective, with my club, like I'm obviously very lucky and privileged to play with Vincent, you know, who are a one club where you know I don't feel that I'm treated any different to anyone else in the club. Like I said, whatever age people are, whatever code that they're in, you know, we still get access to the same facilities, the same or the gym, access to PNE1, you know, the main pitch and Vincent's. And yeah, that from my perspective, I've had a very, very positive experience with you know playing with St. Vincent's and you know, being allowed and have access to all of these. And yeah, it just creates a good family vibe and community within the club as well.

SPEAKER_01 24:37

And like maybe there's I think Cabinet, I don't know how the numbers I don't have my club, but like some clubs, like the Clear Galway, they're one of the I suppose standout clubs with the uh, you know, the one club initiative. But like I suppose if you go around the country, there probably is some clubs where maybe it's not it's the same, like you know, we have a getting certain, you know, where maybe maybe the the ladies' team do feel a bit still, you know, that they're not getting fully quality or that like so. So that will be a problem about across the country in certain clubs as well, though you don't want it.

SPEAKER_00 25:08

Yeah, yeah, no, absolutely. And I think that'll be a job over the next couple of years to try to make sure that you know, if we are implementing this one club policy countrywide, that yeah, everyone feels that they are part of that one club and they do have access to whatever, you know, other members of the club have. Um, like I said, I'm in a very privileged position that's that's already happening for me. But yeah, I'm aware that there are people probably in rural Ireland that maybe that isn't the case. But yeah, like I said, it's you know, it suppose it starts from the the club as well. Like everyone starts playing with your club, and I do think that in terms of you know having this one club policy will benefit everyone um as well.

SPEAKER_01 25:56

Yeah, look, yeah, as I said, it's a brilliant idea. Like, and it's just something that I think uh most clubs, like I don't know not every club maybe has a will have its maybe ladies' teams in it involved, but like for Adam do, it would be I think every club to get get behind it and that and just have the one club, it'd be great for the support, like one for it because it'd be a lot easier to, I suppose, manage it as well, like you know, instead, you know, because you look at certain things like especially in the ladies' game, like I know for a fact, like I know this is just like was it last weekend, like Westford done the 23s were in all island final under before that day before that drawing the championship, and some of the players were playing two games in a row, two days in a row, and like stuff like that I don't think should be really happening because it's not fair on the players involved then, like you know, when you see thinking stuff like that. And I think if it was all under one umbrella, like stuff like that, I don't I won't see happening too much.

SPEAKER_00 26:46

Yeah, I think that's probably one of the biggest things as well, in terms of like the fixture congestion and you know, if it's part of the one umbrella of the GAA and you know the Camogian ladies' football section, you know, I I think that would alleviate all of that in terms of they the fixtures would be, I suppose the master fixture list would be sent out at the start of the year, and you know, it would be easier probably for everyone involved then that they'd know you know what days that they're they're playing matches on or whatever, and it would, yeah, I suppose avoid any of those fixture clashes, which yeah, isn't good for anyone really involved.

SPEAKER_01 27:24

And look, again, they're on the whole interrogation overall in like the hot three organizations. Like I know they have the deadline for the end of 2027, but there seems to be a lot of pushback from certain parts as well at the moment, which seems to be holding it off. So we might have to wait a little bit longer though before I see it like you know, I think.

SPEAKER_00 27:42

Yeah, I'd imagine uh yeah, it might be it's a very uh optimistic uh, I suppose, uh deadline in terms of 2027. But yes, and once they're kind of keep ticking away, they're keeping kind of you know talking to the the different parties that are needed in order for this uh integration to happen. I think it'll probably be a slower process than maybe they had anticipated before. But once it's moving, um I don't think people will mind too much, you know, as long as things are are being done. And yeah, I do think it's important, you know, in terms of that, you know, people are open to change as well. So, you know, it'll it'll be new for everyone. And I think yeah, it will benefit, you know, particularly say from my point of view, the camoe players and clamoge association. So yeah, it'll be interesting to see kind of over the course of the next couple of months and the next year or so in terms of yeah, how things are going with the integration. And yeah, it is really important that it does happen. And yeah, 2027 was was the uh deadline, and yeah, I really hope that kind of they they keep working towards that as best they can.

SPEAKER_01 28:48

And I suppose, look, Keith, I think all three organizations do want it, so look, that will help massively like going to get it done, like whenever they whenever they do get finished. So, like that's the key. Like, there's no like as long as there's not too much pushback then with from within the organization, I suppose, then as well. Like from certain people, I suppose, within the organizations.

SPEAKER_00 29:06

Yeah, no, well, um I think yeah, all three, do you know what I mean? You you even see in clubs and you know, there's a lot of families who have brothers and sisters playing for different county teams or different club teams, and you know, people want the best for everyone involved. So I think, yeah, the the three organizations joining force together can only, you know, benefit everyone involved.

SPEAKER_01 29:29

And look, I suppose we just have to wait and see how it plays out now over the next year or two or whatever it long it takes. So but it's definitely something that needs to happen anyway for GA just to be all under the one umbrella and it can move forward then more smoothly and all that. Like so now I'd just like to actually chat to you there now for a few minutes about your own, I suppose, career maybe, but I'm looking back on it and all that. Like, I don't know you started playing for Dublin, I think it was 2008, wasn't it? And you were stalwarting that Dublin team for a few years, and I just get your opinion on how you how you found it like and all that playing for Dublin and got a mentor you to play for Dublin there throughout the years.

SPEAKER_00 30:05

Yeah, it was uh yeah, it was um a great achievement for myself and yeah, a privilege to play. And I suppose every young kid growing up, you know, you start off in your club and you have aspirations to play senior and to win with your club, and then along with that, obviously to play for your county. So yeah, and I was very lucky 2007 to 2008. I yeah, played at Dublin, uh played for 14 years and yeah, had a great time. We didn't fortunately win anything in terms of silverware, but like we had some good days, some bad days, and I suppose that's just the nature of it. You know, every team can't win, but no, I've great friendships from it, you know, great memories, and yeah, one one that I'll hold forever.

SPEAKER_01 30:51

And like, you know, Dublin, you look back at Dublin's history, I suppose. Look, second in the list of all-time all Ireland is like 26, and like the one eight in a row, Ireland between 1948 to 1955, and then between 57 and 56 they won ten in a row. So, you know, there's a great history there with Dublin. So I suppose you'll be looking to maybe get back to challenging again soon. And look, it that we spoke we spoke about it already as well, Dublin, and there's they're a good team. I feel they're a good team there this year, just seem to be lacking, I suppose, something it's hard to put your finger on it, but just want something that just that extra bit is bark, I suppose, or special.

SPEAKER_00 31:29

Yeah, and I'm hoping I'm hoping listen, it comes this Saturday, you know, playing Kilkenny and Pyrnel Park. You know, they've we've a great team, a lot of good young players and a lot of experienced players as well there. I think that there's a really good balance of the Dublin team with you know the likes of Ashmar, Evo Bryan, you know, people who've been there for a while, and then kind of new newcomers as well. So Emir Kyo, who came on last week and did fantastically well as well. And yeah, I just think we're just waiting for it to click. You know, we have all and the players have all the attributes, you know, they're fit, they're strong, they're physical, and you know, a lot of them are good hurlers, and yeah, I suppose it's just getting that one victory over the line, I think, you know, particularly in this championship, and you know, hopefully then the momentum for them will will take them far.

SPEAKER_01 32:20

And like I was he said, when you play for Dublin, you just missed out on silverware, but you've when you with St. Vincent, you definitely had a good bit of silverware, like in at the moment you're the dominant team, I suppose, in Dublin. Four in a row now, you've won there now late in the last few years. So how that must be great, like for you for the club, like just to be on top of that.

SPEAKER_00 32:39

Like I said, you know, you everyone starts with their club and finishes playing with their club, and you know, it's where you grow you grow up, you know. You're I'm playing with girls who I started playing with since I was 10, and we're still playing together, so yeah, it's just an important part of our lives, and yeah, the winning element has been yeah, really, really good, and we've been very successful over the last couple of years. And no, I suppose just we have a great group of people, you know. People are are in, they work hard, and they want to do well, and you know, we have the drive and hunger, which yeah, hopefully, yeah, can keep us going anyway.

SPEAKER_01 33:16

Yeah, and like when you you've won, like I think it's it's a club county championship. So what was it club championships? Sorry about that. It must have been like what when you won the first one, like what was how did it feel like, you know, uh when you got off when the final whistle went, like how would what was it feel like?

SPEAKER_00 33:36

Yeah, that was back in 2005, so we were still under 16, and there were four of us that came up to play, and we all started the senior championship. Not sure that would happen now in this day and age, but uh no, it was I suppose we didn't really know what way it was going to be. Do you know what I mean? We we started, we were playing Aaron's Isle um out in Port Marnock, and yeah, we got over the line and yeah, we were just ecstatic. Um I suppose it's only kind of looking back on it that you see how much of an achievement that was, you know, as a 16-year-old, you know, winning your first senior county championship. And yeah, like I said, it's it's just something that yeah, that will hold forever in terms of you know the four of us that came up together, you know, be started um on that, yeah, the senior team. And yeah, it was yeah, really, really good achievement. And yeah, hopefully we can we can win a few more together as well.

SPEAKER_01 34:32

And you obviously want a few Leicester championships as well along the way. Like that must just representing not just your club, but you're also your county in the Leicester Championship and winning it must have helped tremendous pride there as well for you.

SPEAKER_00 34:45

Yeah, yeah, no, absolutely. Um, yeah, when we've won Dublin and obviously gotten out um and won Leinster, yeah, it was yeah, a huge amount of pride. And yeah, unfortunately, we kind of haven't gotten over the the semi-final hurdle yet for the All Ireland series. But no, I suppose even for us, we kind of just take it each game as it comes. Do you know what I mean? Dublin is very hard to get out of. You know, there's a huge amount of really, really good teams like St. Jude, Lucan, Nafina, Bally Bowden. So, you know, on any given day, anyone can beat anyone. So, like, we don't take it for granted at all in terms of for you know any of the the Dublin championships that we have. But yeah, when we get out of Dublin into Leinster, yeah, it's nice to play kind of different teams from different counties, and yeah, we've been lucky enough to to win a few. And yeah, we've had really, really good matches, like I said, with you know, Pilltown, Erler Debala, yeah, lots of different teams, and yeah, it's it's really, really good competition uh to be in.

SPEAKER_01 35:44

And just a couple of more questions too, Justin, your career. Who would have been the best player you played against in your whole career?

SPEAKER_00 35:51

Oh, that's a hard one now. I suppose even yeah, within Dublin, you know, we've an awful lot of people kind of who were fantastic players. Do you know when I was coming up, even people from my own club, you know, like Sonia Byrne, like Emer Brannigan, all of these type of players were were fantastic. And then I was lucky enough to go to UCD and win an Ashburn Cup, and Ray Luttrell was a tough cookie to be playing against in fullback. There's a good tip woman. And yeah, there's been an awful lot of people who, you know, we've had great battles um throughout over the years, um, both with uh with Vincent's colleges and uh and Dublin as well.

SPEAKER_01 36:44

You can't people in particular anyway. So anyway, look, we leave it a definite. We move on to look ahead, look ahead now to the weekend's action. And look in the senior championship on Saturday, you have a Dublin player to Killy and Panel Park, Wexford take on Clay down and Wexford, Chadwick Wexford Park, and Limerick take on Osley in TUS mileage. So look, three massive games. Like and I was looking at like if obviously last weekend the home teams won all three games, and if the home teams went all three games this weekend, like Dublin, Wexford and Limerick, you'd have a situation like where all three all six teams would have been on three points then after two rounds, which would make it really interesting going forward. Like, but so like they should look at the long the big weekend, like um look supposed we'll start with the Dublin TikTok game, like you know, and like it's as we said already, that it is a massive game for Dublin, like you know, trying to must win now, guess they so and it's the home game, so maybe that you know having a home advantage could be a big plus for them, like yeah, I definitely do think, and I think because there's so much on the line for Dublin, they obviously lost their first match, and yeah, for them this is an absolutely must-win match.

SPEAKER_00 37:48

It's at home in Parnell Park. Um, like I said earlier, you know, they can take inspiration from the hurlers beating Kilkenny there last weekend. Yeah, there's no better feeling in Parnell Park, you know, playing championship. So yeah, I'd say all the girls are buzzing for it, and yeah, just really looking forward to yeah, getting back out there, you know, if you have have a loss, you really just want to get back out there in the pitch and you know, make sure that you you put it right. And yeah, I'd have every faith, to be honest, that yeah, they will give it a good battle and yeah, they'll come out and talk fingers crossed against Kilkenny.

SPEAKER_01 38:22

Yeah, and look, yeah, because look, we all know what Kilkenny are capable of doing. They might be going through a bit of a heavy rebuilding period, they still have quality throughout the team, like, and they're gonna it's gonna be a tough game for them, like you know, the likes of Quiva Kerr Murray today, like you know, Laura Murphy, Ashley Cardi's a young good player, like I've been pressed by her this year, like and Steffi Fitzgerald, another one, like you know, so they have quality throughout the team still, like and they're gonna be very cuffed like for Dublin on Saturday.

SPEAKER_00 38:50

Oh, yeah, no, absolutely. Like so, any cook, any team that you play will always have quality, you know, in terms of right up through the spine, and they've got a a good few young players as well coming through. So, yeah, Dublin will have to obviously get their their matchups right, and I suppose just have the belief themselves that yeah, they're coming to our home patch, you know, we need to win, you know, to take the game towards them, not to wait and to settle in and see how it how it pans out. That yeah, they need to, you know, go from the very start and you know set the set the bar high.

SPEAKER_01 39:23

I suppose for Dublin, like they'll have to it's obviously something they'll have to improve on if they're shooting accuracy, like you know, and finishing, because like if they'll have that'll have to improve if they're gonna have a chance of beating Kitchen, it's buzz.

SPEAKER_00 39:35

Oh yeah, no, it's it's uh very important. And you know, like I said earlier, the you know, the forward unit of Dublin, you know, are lethal when they're on their game. Do you know the likes of Ashmar, Ash O'Neill, Ash Gannon, you've Grace O'Shea, you've Kerry Finnegan, Shenade and Gabby have been scoring loads from midfield as well. So yeah, I really do think the Pyrnell Park pitch will suit them as well. You know, they've played an awful lot of games there as well. It's their home patch, they're used to the post, they know the shooting ends um and whatnot. And yeah, I just think it's it's it's now or never. You know, they have an abundance of talent up there and they just need to believe in themselves and yeah, get the scores on the board.

SPEAKER_01 40:17

And I've got a quick prediction for you off you for that game now. Who do you think will win it?

SPEAKER_00 40:24

I'm gonna go with Dublin. Surprise there now. I know I uh no, I do think it's like I said, they've an awful lot of talent and yeah, I suppose it just hasn't clicked just yet, but no, I'm waiting for it, and yeah, fingers crossed it can be this Saturday against Kilkenny.

SPEAKER_01 40:41

Myself, I I think home advantage might just help Dublin, so I'd go for Dublin win a well in that one just because it'd have home advantage. And then look, next game, Wexford clear. Look, I suppose it's another game for Wexford Home Advantage, must-win game for them. Like I suppose they lost to Offrey the first time out, like in Tolamore. I suppose that was a bit of a surprise result for them, like after they'd winning the Leicester championship, like and it would have been on a high coming into the game, but losing to Offrey, who'd just been off from intermediate, so duck they'll be looking to bounce back there against a very what is a very good clear team, but like it's still fancy Westford to give them a good game and maybe come out because they had Lexford themselves have some good players throughout the team as well. Like, you know what, like obviously Chloe Cash had been kicked their main scorer this year, like on three, and so like it's a big game for them though, like and a must-win game for them as well.

SPEAKER_00 41:28

Oh, yeah, no, absolutely. Yeah, like I said, any team that loses their first match, the next match that they play is uh yeah, definitely a must-win. And yeah, I think Wexford will be gunning for them. They probably didn't do themselves justice against Offley in their first match, um, losing by a last-minute goal, and they'll probably yet go out to beat Clare. But on the flip side of that, you know, Clare are on a good run of it at the moment. You know, they won, like I said, the the 1B league. They beat Dublin last weekend, they'll be going in full of confidence, feeling that they can beat Wexford at home. Um, so I think that'll be a tough enough match and quite a close one. But I suppose if I was to pick one, I probably would go with Clare, just in terms of you know, they have the momentum, they bet Dublin last week, you know, they're on a roll. So yeah, if I was I think do you think it would be close enough, but yeah, my money would be on Claire and to win that.

SPEAKER_01 42:20

Yeah, I'd agree with you on that one. I think Claire just seemed to have more momentum at the moment, and I think they're more capable of putting in a full performance for the full hour. Like we mentioned in the last week's pod about Westford, they don't seem to be able to put in the performance like for the whole game. Like, and it seems to be something that's against the really better teams, it's probably cost them. And like I think Claire just probably stronger throughout the pitch. Like, you know, it's like obviously Lorna McMahon in grey form and like the back Shenado Keith, the evil queen and Abby Walsh like have been brilliant so far this year on the back spot. I think get go for Claire for that one, and then also on Saturday, fifth half three, they're all throwing a half. But Dublin continued the half over, but the other two were half three. But Limerick go home to Offley, like and like Offley they'll be delighted with the win in the first game against Westwood. Like not many people would have been expecting them to get it, but it was a huge win for them, like against a Limerick team now who had their backs to the wall as well. So, like I suppose a lot of team people would have expected these two maybe to finish in the bottom two, you know, and being the relegation playoff. But now Offley have given themselves a chance now, and if they can win that one on Saturday, they can maybe push on, like you know, maybe challenge for a top two players like. So it's a big game for both teams, really, in that perspective.

SPEAKER_00 43:26

Yeah, I think it's a huge match for both teams. So it's awfully on the high after beating Wexford, and then Limerick looking for their first win after losing to Kilkenny last weekend. So yeah, I think it's all on the line really for them. I think Limerick will be will be gunning for them. You know, they were this is their first match at home, you know, in the senior championship. And yeah, they probably would have looked at this um when the fixtures came out and said this is one, you know, that they wanted to win. And obviously, after losing to Kilkenny last weekend, you know, their championship is on the line. So yeah, I do think that again. Similar enough to the previous match, I think it will be a close enough match. You know, Offaly will be coming in with the belief because they've that they've bet what uh Wexford. But yeah, I do think again, home advantage with Limerick. You know, Limerick are good hurlers, they've you know an awful lot of kind of good forwards that we spoke about earlier, and yeah, I do think they probably might have the edge over Offaly this weekend.

SPEAKER_01 44:23

Yeah, look, I I'm gonna have to go offly for this one mainly because I'm from Office. So I I went against him the last time against Wexford and I got it wrong. So I I go for them this time only. I just well, I think it's gonna be a really close game, like to be honest with you. But one thing I mean I've seen Limerick a couple of times over the last two or three years, and while they've suffered a couple of big beatings of some of the games, I've been impressed by what they're trying to do and you know how to build up the play and how they're running through the lines and all that and their pass. Just sometimes, as I mentioned already, they're just maybe they're overdo the bit of times, like in the middle of the field, and maybe the quality of the ball sometimes into the forwards isn't the best. So but I think it'll be a tough game, close game, I think, between two and the ball. I just because I'm from Austria, I'm gonna go off for that one anyway.

SPEAKER_00 45:05

So you know, just you'd have to be that now, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 45:12

Also on this weekend, a Saturday, like the Premier Junior Champ All Ireland Championship starts with Ramon, like we have Armag versus Pilair on Saturday at half three. Whitler take on Cabin at the same time, and then we have Russ Palmer taking on to run at the same time. So look, it's Armas was look probably running up last year in that. And look, they're probably favoured going into it. They had an impressive league, they were very impressive in the league now. They had a good win in the league final as well. Like, so they probably will be favoured to go into it. And they have a home game against Kalea to start off. So they'll be expecting maybe to get win on the board there and get off to a good start. Like, but they are probably the strongest team in that championship at the moment.

SPEAKER_00 45:51

Like you expect them to yeah, no, I would definitely say that. And obviously, after winning the the 3A league, you know, they'll have they'll bring that momentum with them and yeah, bring it into championship. And yeah, I'd I would say, you know, they're obviously favourites for this match this weekend against Kildare, but I think for the overall, you know, Premier Junior that that they probably are um overall favourites for it.

SPEAKER_01 46:14

And like obviously other games, the other two games then oh yeah, Wicklow then take on Kavan as well. So look, I suppose it'd be a close game as well. You expect that to be a close game, and hard to know. I suppose it's hard to call that one in many ways.

SPEAKER_00 46:27

Yeah, definitely hard to call um the Wicklow Cavan match. Um, like I said, Arma are probably you know the favourites overall, but I think for the the rest of the teams, I think you know, anyone could beat each other on their day. So yeah, no, it'll definitely be a close enough battle between um yeah, Wicklow and Kavan.

SPEAKER_01 46:44

Yeah, and then Roscomman Tyrone in the other game. So that will also be a close game. Like I'm knowing the like they were the same league as that last where Common got to the final, but they finished level on points like with Killer and Tyrone in the group stages of the league. So the boat I think they all bit they kind of bit each other like Jordan, like and I can't remember like so they're all very as you said, toasting toasting. As Carmen's both home advantage, they'll be looking to get the win and you know, because obviously to try to get through to the like I said, they'll be in the final, like yeah.

SPEAKER_00 47:16

No, I think yeah, like I said, it's you know, there's a lot of those teams that are they're quite even and you know, on any given day anyone can win and lose. So yeah, I think starting off their championship, you know, every team will be wanting to get their their first win on the board. Yeah, so I think and home advantage I think will be a big thing as well and for them, um you know, particularly starting their first match at home. Yeah, they will they'll want to get the win on the board.

SPEAKER_01 47:42

Just at the weekend as well, like the junior championship round two is on. We'll now take it on Mona and and at six uh half four on Saturday, and then the goal take on me or half three. So that's about it now for this week's episode. And just before we go on, once again mention that we're available, you can find us on Instagram at Talk and Comoge Podcast, and also on Twitter or X, whichever you call it, at Talk and Comoge Pod. You can email the podcast at talkingcomogepodcast at gmail.com and you can listen to it on the likes of Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, among others. Next coming up on next week's show, we have we'll have representatives from Tipperary, Waterford, Cork, and Galway to look and we look ahead to the start of Group One in the Senior All Ireland Championship. So that's coming up next week's show. We'll have to tune in for that one then next week. And before we go, I just wanted to thank you, Alison, for coming on. It's been a absolute pleasure having you, Iman. Great to chat you and some chat you maybe again at some stage in the future again, hopefully.

SPEAKER_00 48:37

Absolutely. No, thanks, Joe, and thanks for all you're doing for uh promoting Tamogi as well. Great.

SPEAKER_01 48:43

That's it for this week's show. So we'll be back again next week. So goodbye for now.