To celebrate International Women’s Day this Saturday 8th March, we spoke to Cuala player Aisling Groarke. Aisling plays on our Cuala first senior football and camogie teams, while also finding time to promote our women’s games on our social media channels. We asked Aisling about her love of gaelic games, her advice for young players, and what she hopes for in future for her own game and women’s gaelic games more widely.

At what age did you start playing gaelic games?
I started playing in the Academy in Cuala, when I was five years old. My earliest memories of the sport probably aren’t actually of playing—it’s doing gymnastics on the sidelines!

What do you love most about playing camogie and gaelic football?
What I love most about Gaelic Football and Camogie is my teammates and the feeling after a difficult training session.

What do you consider to be the most challenging aspect of playing gaelic games?
I’m a dual player on the Gaelic Football and Camogie senior teams, which means we train six times a week, often with back-to-back matches. And while the physical demands are high, I’ve often found that the mental aspect can be even more challenging.

What skills do you think are important to become a successful player?
To succeed as a player, I believe determination and balance are essential. I struggle with hand-eye coordination, so I’ve often had to repeat certain skills hundreds of times before it seems to stick.  This has taught me persistence and the value of hard work. I also think maintaining a balance—focusing during training whilst also remembering why I play the sport—keeps me motivated and driven to improve.

Are there any other players who have inspired you?
Sinead Murphy in Camogie and Hannah Tyrell in Gaelic Football. Sinead Murphy was always so encouraging and supportive when I came up to senior level. She always included everyone in the team activities and her physicality on the camogie pitch is something I can only strive to replicate. Hannah Tyrell has excelled in multiple sports, representing Ireland in rugby and her club and county in Gaelic football. Her kicking is unbelievable and she uses her platform to advocate for mental health. I marked her in one of my first senior matches, and was completely starstruck. That being said, every one of my teammates and coaches has inspired me along the way.

What one piece of advice would you give to young girls who are starting out learning to play the game?
Stick with it. There are times growing up when life gets so busy that giving up might seem like the easier option. However, the girls on the team are my closest friends, and they always help put things into perspective. I honestly can’t imagine where I’d be without Gaelic Games in my life.

What has been the highlight of your playing career to date?
So far, the highlight has been winning the Senior 2 Championship in camogie last year. However, I have high hopes of us winning more titles in both codes soon.

Have you any future goals you would like to achieve in your sporting career?
Many. The men’s teams have proven what Cuala is capable of, and we would love to experience that same success with the women’s teams in the years to come.

What positive developments have you seen in women’t gaelic games in recent years?
In recent years, the visibility of the LGFA and Camogie has grown significantly. Sponsors like Lidl and TG4 have created incredible opportunities for the sport to gain recognition and highlight the dedication of players. Additionally, Cuala’s one-club model ensures that the women’s section have the same opportunities as the men’s teams, which is fantastic for the growth and development of the game. I see the women’s section growing year after year, and I would love to see Croke Park’s stands fill up more and more for the women’s games to recognize the incredible athletes who play there.

Interesting fact about you that people may not know?
I did ballet until I was 18, though not sure I have much coordination to show for it!