BALLINASCARTHY’S rise has carried them into the second tier of Cork camogie, and full-forward Sinéad McCarthy believes the West Cork club will be ready for the premier intermediate challenge in 2026.

After winning their second county title in a row last season, Ballinascarthy are a team with momentum and belief.

‘Last year I went up to the photo launch for the county championships and I was messing with the girls in our league saying, “watch out for us.” I genuinely didn’t think anything would come of it,’ McCarthy recalled.

‘You never write a team off and you never back against an underdog. Premier intermediate is going to be a big challenge. Clonakilty, Newcestown and Enniskeane are all West Cork sides there – and we’ve been dying to get up to their standard. We were playing with and against them in school, so it brings back a bit of friendly rivalry between the clubs. That’s not even mentioning the sides closer to the city like Watergrasshill.’

Enjoying the celebrations were Martina O'Brien, Clare Collins and Kate O'Donovan. (Photo: Andy Gibson)

The all-conquering camogie team recently held their dinner dance in Fernhill House Hotel, celebrating alongside the Ballinascarthy hurlers in a joint night to remember. The hurlers had won the 2025 Carbery Junior A Hurling Championship, beating Kilbree 0-22 to 1-16 on the same day the camogie side lifted their county crown on Sunday, October 19th.

‘A lot of families were torn on the day about whether they’d go to the girls’ match or the lads’ match,’ McCarthy said.

‘To come back with two cups that evening was unbelievable. I’d say most of Ballinascarthy was inside the pub. We all cherish that moment.’

All smiles were Maeve Kingston, Michelle O'Driscoll and Rachel Cahalane. (Photo: Andy Gibson)

One family in particular had divided loyalties.

‘The Ryan family had the three lads – Seán, Cian and Aaron – and Aoibhín involved across the two teams. The hurling match was on before us and Aoibhín heard during our match that the lads had won – that pushed us on.’

Looking ahead, the Ballinascarthy camogie panel appears well set for 2026 as attention turns to the step up in grade. Captain Moira Barrett is currently in Austria but is expected back for championship, while the management team of Aidan Cahalane and Kevin Walsh will once again lead the charge.

‘The younger girls coming through are amazing,’ McCarthy added.

‘Amber Bishop, for example, is playing inter-county and doing tremendously. That’s proof that players are coming up – we’re not relying on the same people all the time.

‘And to still have the experience of Martina O’Brien and Kate O’Donovan on the team is massive. They both have four county medals. You always have someone to look up to, and someone looking up to you – that’s something that really drives a group on.’

Lisa Hegarty and Lorna Nyhan enjoying the celebrations. (Photo: Andy Gibson)

Tier two will present a new test, but Ballinascarthy are embracing it.

‘We’ll take it game by game. We’re blessed with our management – the time they put into us is unbelievable,’ McCarthy said.

‘They don’t just come to our matches; they look at other teams as well. Putting in that work added to our success because we knew what was ahead of us.

‘It’s brilliant to know that our coaches believe we can do it. That gives us belief ourselves.’