Jacqui Hurley from Cork, by way of Australia, is clearly sports mad. When she isn’t playing or managing camogie or basketball she’s reporting on any and all sports in her role as co-presenter of RTE’s Sunday Sport. She answers 21 questions for BreakingThrough.ie about her hurling and camogie history.
1. How long did your camogie career last?
It’s still going strong! The body isn’t what it used to be but I’m still playing away!
2. What age were you when it started/finished?
I started playing when I was 10, after moving home from Australia. Myself and my sister joined our local camogie club in Ballinhassig in Cork & never looked back!
3. Did you win any camogie honours?
Won a county with Ballinhassig in 2001 and won the senior Cup with my Dublin club, Portobello last year.
4. What was your greatest moment on the camogie pitch?
Hmm, there have been a few; representing your county is a great feeling, winning the county with Ballinhassig was pretty sweet aswell, but honestly I think the happiest moment I remember was when we won the South East u13 final against our neighbours Ballygarvan. It was such a huge rivalry between both clubs because we’re part of the same parish & we only won the game by a point. It’s a game that comes up regularly when we all talk about the moments you’ll never forget!
5. Do you still pick up the stick every once in a while?
Yep, still playing every week with Portobello in the Phoenix Park
6. Which hurlers/camogie players do you most admire and why?
As a Cork woman Brian Corcoran was my idol growing up, such a gifted hurler who could play anywhere on the pitch and not look out of place. From a camogie point of view you’d have to admire the likes of the Downey twins, winning 12 All Irelands. In more recent times former Cork dual star Mary O’Connor has been an inspiration. 7 camogie All Ireland’s and 5 Ladies Football All Irelands, speaks for itself really!
7. Which club/county do you support?
I still keep an eye on my own club Ballinhassig at home in Cork, while wearing the Porto colours! Big Cork supporter, in spite of my need to be completely unbiased!
8. What was the best match you ever attended?
Last year’s All Ireland final between Kilkenny and Tipperary. Easily one of the best sporting events I’ve ever attended.
9. Would you prefer a 65 into the wind and rain at Croker or a 12 foot putt at Augusta?
Ha, much as I love Croker, having been to Augusta, it’s another stratosphere altogether!
10. An Oscar acceptance speech or a Liam McCarthy victory speech?
Liam McCarthy victory speech all the way!
11. If you could play with any county team which would it be and why?
I couldn’t ever imagine playing with any county other than Cork, just wouldn’t be the same. I’ve had this debate many a time with teammates, but my opinion will never change.
12. Have any of the skills you learned from camogie been of benefit to you in your current career?
Absolutely – team work is probably the most vital cog in any organisation. I’m a strong believer in sport playing a big part in that.
13. Who is going to win the Liam McCarthy in 2011?
Based on what we’ve seen this year it looks like it could be one of the most open Championships in a long time. Tipperary, Kilkenny, Galway and Dublin all look in good shape. Tipp finally made the breakthrough last year, I think Galway have the potential to do the same this year.
14. Who will win the U-21 Hurling Championship in your view?
Tipperary
15. Which footballer or rugby player would you like on your hurling team?
Tomas O’Leary. He was a fine hurler when he won that minor All Ireland with Cork back in 2001. I’m sure years down the line when he retires from rugby you’ll see him back hurling with Erins Own !
16. What is your favourite GAA ground?
Pairc Ui Chaoimh
17. Our website is called breakingthrough.ie. What was your break through moment?
Getting the call up to the Cork minors
18. Which hurling/camogie manager would you most liked to have played under?
Donal O’Grady or Anthony Daly
19. What was your best attribute/skill on the camogie pitch?
Probably being able to read the game
20. What was the last hurling/camogie game you attended?
Played my own match last night!
21. You are one point down in the All-Ireland final and you have just been awarded a penalty in the last play of the game…goal or point?
I’ve been in this position before and taken the point & we lost the game in extra time. Looking back now, I should have gone for the goal, but the manager thought we’d win in extra time. These are the lessons we must learn!