Cork's Laura Hayes: 'You learn a lot more from losing than winning'
Michael Bolton
Having had months to reflect on defeat in the All-Ireland camogie final, Cork's Laura Hayes has taken several learnings along the way.
Cork were on track for a historic three-in-a-row when they faced Galway in Croke Park back in August.
However, despite going in as favourites, it was Galway who were the winners, as they overcame their defeat in the 2024 final.
With the Centra National League underway this weekend, and Cork without some of their senior players, it is the start of a new era, and one Hayes has had time to think about
"Sport can be cruel sometimes, but you take the off-season to get over it and let it settle.
"We have always been a team that takes it one match at a time; it was just win another All-Ireland final; it wasn't about the three-in-a-row.
"It is a very enjoyable winter when you are winning, there is a lot to look forward to, and there is a lot of time for sober thoughts when you are at the wrong end of it.
"The best thing you can do is put a bit of closure on it. I went away and did a bit of travelling for a month. Once you come back, you are fresh and ready to look into next year.
"It was disappointing not to be the team that does it this time, but at the end of the day, it wasn't really about anything else; unfortunately, we couldn't get over the line."
There was further heartbreak for some of the Cork side, as St Finbarr's were defeated in the All-Ireland final replay by the Galway side Athenry in January.
In what has been a difficult few months for Cork camogie, Hayes is confident of the squad's resilience to bounce back from defeats.
"There have been periods of time where we have not won any All-Ireland for years, and we are still resilient enough to come back.
"You learn a lot more from losing than winning. It will probably build a lot of resilience in the team and galvanise how close we are.
"This is just a fresh start."
It will be Munster rivals Waterford first for Cork on Saturday, who will hope to be in contention come the end of the season.
With Cork winning the League last year, Hayes says this campaign will show the depth of Cork's squad.
"I don't think it is any secret we are down a few players this year. You could look at that in two ways: they are huge giants of the game that gave so much to Cork camogie, and so influential in our team.
"Now there are places up for grabs. There are players who have been on the panel for three or four years and have tried to break in and haven't. There are places in the league up for grabs.
"Cork camogie, you could say it is in transition, but we just look at it as the next player up.