‘SHE is one of the top players in the country,’ Ger Manley says, without hesitation. The Cork camogie boss knows better than most just how good Saoirse McCarthy is, even joking that she could hold her own in the men’s game.

He also realises how important the Courcey Rovers player will be to a new-look Cork squad this season, one without many of the stalwarts who formed the backbone of the Rebels’ recent dominance. Cork have featured in the last five All-Ireland finals, winning back-to-back titles in 2023 and ’24.

With six-time All-Ireland winner Laura Treacy retired, the Mackey sisters (Pamela and Katrina) currently not involved, Aoife Healy and Hannah Looney set to embark on AFLW careers in Australia, Scorcha McCartan travelling, Kate Wall moving Down Under, Amy O’Connor injured, and Clíona Healy stepping back from the panel, Cork have lost a wealth of experience.

But Manley knows there is still leadership within the current squad – Ashling Thompson, Libby Coppinger, Laura Hayes, Meábh Cahalane and Saoirse McCarthy who has been shortlisted for player of the year three seasons in a row.

‘Saoirse is one of the top players in the country,’ Manley reiterates, pointing to her role captaining Ireland in the Shinty series against Scotland in October.

‘Her attitude is spot on. She is very athletic, a brilliant hurler, she can score, and she can play half-back, midfield, half-forward or even in the corner – she could probably play in the men’s game, to be honest!

‘She is a senior member of the squad, and it’s important for young players to have someone like Saoirse to look up to and to see the standards she sets.’

Ireland camogie-shinty captain Saoirse McCarthy. (Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile)

Given the turnover of players, it’s no surprise there is a youthful look to the Cork camogie team competing in Division 1 of the National League. After an opening-round loss to Waterford, an inexperienced Cork suffered a surprise loss at home to Antrim last weekend, with Manley giving several players their chance to impress, including a number from Carbery.

While St Colum’s three-time Camogie All-Star Libby Coppinger is a well-established defensive lynchpin, Manley is also handing game-time to Ballinascarthy’s Millie Condon, who was involved with the senior squad last season, as well as Claire Kingston (Newcestown) and Daire O’Brien (Enniskeane).

‘Claire had a great Ashbourne Cup with UCC and was impressive last year when we brought her into the senior panel,’ Manley explains.

‘Daire O’Brien has been around with the U23s, played with UL too, and has a lot of potential. Millie Condon is another with a high ceiling. They have that bit of cutting edge you want to see, and now it’s about getting accustomed to playing at this level. That won’t happen overnight.

‘It takes time to get comfortable in these surroundings, to make the jump from club to inter-county.

‘We have maybe 12 of last year’s U23s in with us, but this is a step up physically and mentally. It could take some girls a year to get used to training and matches at this level.

‘We want to see what happens over the next three or four months,’ he adds, with the national league offering players a chance to audition ahead of the championship.

‘There’s been such a strong squad there for seven or eight years, but now there are opportunities with a few gone to Australia, a few stepping away, and a few injuries,’ Manley says.

‘We want to win every match we play, whether it’s league or championship – this is a competitive squad. But we also know we need to unearth players for the championship. Given the strength of the group over the last few years, it was hard to break into it, but there is an opportunity now.’

Millie Condon has started Cork's opening two national league games, playing in midfield.

Perhaps this is the moment for Carbery players to push their way into Manley’s plans. The Cork boss is well aware of the talent in the division, name-checking Clonakilty’s Amy McCarthy, who won the Ashbourne Cup with UCC in recent weeks and has represented Cork at underage level up to U23.

‘We keep an open mind; if players are putting their hands up, we will have a look,’ he says.

One Carbery player Manley knows all about is Libby Coppinger, and he is a huge admirer. The St Colum’s woman will now concentrate fully on camogie at inter-county level after stepping back from the Cork footballers, a welcome boost given the youthful profile of the squad.

‘If Libby wanted to keep playing football, we would have supported her, but it is a boost to have her with us all the time now,’ Manley says.

‘She gives everything. I’ve worked with her for the past five years and she has always impressed me. If Libby Coppinger came to me on one leg, you’d play her. She is brilliant with the younger players around her too.

‘She picked up a bad injury in 2024 and missed the All-Ireland because of it, but came back strong last year and is flying this season already. She is top class.’

So, alongside established names like Coppinger, there is now a real chance for the next generation of Carbery camogie players to show what they can do at the highest level.