Ashling Thompson is most famously recognised for her strength in the midfield for Cork over the past ten years. However, her tattoos also weave a rich tale.
While a number of camogie players may have some form of body art, few on the county level display a wide array of noticeable tattoos. One person who is an exception is Danielle Morrissey, Kilkenny’s All-Ireland intermediate semi-final hero. Just the mention of her tattoos brings a laugh from the skilled Conahy Shamrocks player.
“It’s an ongoing project, I guess,” comments Morrissey. “I could share more about them, perhaps over a pint or two! They can be personal at times, while others are simply designs. There is always room for another addition.
“Some are quite random, much like me. A little quirky!”
Morrissey while quirky off of the field, retains a professional attitude when playing. She holds her camogie career in high esteem.
During a press conference this week in anticipation of the approaching three Glen Dimplex All-Ireland camogie finals at Croke Park (which will be broadcast live on RTÉ2), Kilkenny’s captain, Cria Langton disclosed that Morrissey, aged 24, is invariably the earliest to commence training.
Accruing a total of 56 points in the Championship can’t be attributed to chance. It’s a sum encompassing 33 frees, a pair of 45s and a single splendid sideline, accounting for double points in camogie. From Morrissey we also see a significant additional 19 points from play.
She’s more than a mere fair-weather player, as exhibited recently in the semi-final against Kerry, setting the stage for Sunday’s 3pm face-off with Cork.
With a single point deficit in overtime, Morrissey managed to secure the ball just within the 45 and was fouled. With no opportunities remaining, she stood over the sliotar, approximately 15m from the left boundary and 43m away. Once the shot was fired, there was never any question. The match concluded with her scoring nine points, five from play, enabling Seamus Farrell’s team to triumph in extra time.
It is beneficial for us to participate in such challenging games. Kerry proved to be tenacious, constantly pushing back. They are tough competitors, and we’ve certainly needed a challenging game like theirs. We’ve faced several stern tests throughout our campaign, but this was without a doubt the most demanding.
Reflecting back to when I was around 17 years old, I recall missing a crucial shot in a minor county final for the club. It wasn’t the best feeling, however, every shot is critical at this tier. They all hold immense importance. There are moments when you get lucky, as the shot could have easily missed, but thankfully it didn’t.
Before taking any shot, I have a personal routine that I always follow. I was aware that this would be the final shot of the game. I also believe I was responsible for that free kick. It was slightly nerve-wracking! Despite the pressure, I managed to maintain my composure and was relieved when it went over the bar.
To reach this stage, Morrissey has had to overcome a fair share of obstacles, including a recent ACL tear during training on the 11th of May last year. After a brief break from inter-county competition, she accepted Farrell’s offer to join the intermediate squad. Given her impressive performance, she regained her spot on the senior panel just before the injury, which kept her sidelined for a year.
“It’s just unfortunate that I turned and my foot got stuck, leading to the injury. I had a surgery in June and returned to play my first game with the intermediates against Carlow in the championship on May 25th. It was a challenging year. However, I didn’t foresee kicking off an All-Ireland final, but it’s really wonderful to be here.”
Morrissey was a gifted athlete and made a splash in the inter-county circuit when she was invited to join the senior team by Ann Downey in 2017, while she was still in her fifth year of school. She was so skilled that Downey included her in competitive in-house games ahead of the All-Ireland final victory in September of the previous year.
She earned a league medal in her first season and was a key player in the All-Ireland final. However, Kilkenny’s reign was ended by Julia White’s extraordinary last-minute winner.
Adding an additional league to his record the subsequent year, Morrissey also participated in a couple more All-Ireland finals, serving as a replacement on the pitch in 2019, a year marked by Galway clinching victory over the Cats.
Reflecting on his tenure as a senior player and his contribution to numerous squads, he acknowledged that he didn’t always perform at his peak. He spent periods of uncertainty, transitioning in and out of the team. However, the past is remembered through young eyes.
Opting to take a step back was, he believes, a wise move at the time. When Seamus proposed his return to the team two years later, Morrissey pondered over the offer. He decided to embrace the opportunity and witnessed his own progress. With hindsight, he considers this the best decision he ever made.
There are stages in life when satisfaction wanes and sitting on the side-lines is unavoidable, he argues, but a team requires a fully-fledged squad to succeed ultimately. Having spent evenings in the reserves, training nights on end, he is empathetic towards any budding camogie player’s journey.
In addition to his on-field experiences, his professional career also offers value. Currently, he works on a project control team at Pfizer’s in Newbridge, adding another layer of happiness to his life and an alternative avenue to showcase his skills.
“I manage to stay out of mischief,” he jests. ” It’s gratifying, a downtime away from camogie.” To his credit, he confesses that he does find work enjoyable.
To set foot in Croke Park for another All-Ireland final would be a dream come true. Nevertheless, having been part of three former losing teams at the senior level, the focus this time is solely on the outcome.
“The task ahead is simple: get the job done. We’ve battled Cork in the past, and we know they’re a tough competitor. We’re ready to take up the challenge and witness the unfoldings,” he signs off.