Sports Star award winner Kate Wall ready for another crack at Athenry

KATE Wall hopes her West Cork Sports Star monthly award is not the last piece of silverware the Kilbrittain native gets her hands on over Christmas and the new year.

Wall was a vital member of the St Finbarr’s squad that claimed county and provincial senior club honours in 2025. Following those successes, the Kilbrittain woman helped guide the Barr’s to an All-Ireland senior camogie decider at Croke Park.

Athenry snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat, however, and the two clubs will renew hostilities in Semple Stadium on the first Saturday of the new year – January 3, at 5.15pm.

Earlier in the campaign, Wall scored 2-4 in St Finbarr’s Munster Senior Camogie final 3-11 to 2-12 victory over Waterford’s De La Salle, and received November’s West Cork Sports Star monthly award at the Celtic Ross Hotel for her efforts.

‘Athenry are an excellent, excellent side and I think people outside of the Barr’s might have underestimated them,’ Wall told The Southern Star.

‘I know people keep saying that we let it slip, but we didn’t hand them anything. They came back, scored 1-3, and had an excellent closing ten minutes. That’s something we’ve looked at, learned from and are ready to go again.

‘That’s sport – games change quickly and you have to be adaptable.

‘We’ve been in similar games and probably been on the other side of it earlier in the year, where we came back to win. So look, it’s going to be another brilliant game of camogie between ourselves and Athenry. Everyone is really looking forward to it.’

The Wall household’s Christmas and new year celebrations have had to be somewhat curtailed this year. As Kate prepares for another battle with Athenry, her twin brother Philip is deep into preparations ahead of captaining Kilbrittain in their All-Ireland junior hurling final clash with Easkey (Sligo) on January 10–11.

Sibling rivalry is nothing new to the Walls, and it has helped drive the family to the pinnacle of their chosen sports.

Kate Wall with her team-mates Meabh Cahalane (right) and Eimear Hurley. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

‘Oh, there’s fierce competitiveness between the two of us, alright!’ Wall laughed.

‘The four of us always were – because we’re a huge GAA family. When we were young, we’d play in the garden straight after school and no one would go inside until it was dark.

‘I think I’m the player I’ve become because Philip and I would beat the living daylights out of each other!

‘We’ve always loved playing GAA. A lot of people give their whole lives to the GAA and don’t always get the rewards that we’re getting at the moment.

‘So I feel really privileged and really lucky to be playing in All-Ireland finals – the same for Philip. We’re just trying to enjoy it all because it’s a really special time for our family.’

It’s not just in Kilbrittain and the surrounding areas where excitement is building ahead of two All-Ireland finals.

‘Our sister Ellen is living in America and trying to explain to everyone over there why she has to fly home for two All-Ireland club finals in January!’ Wall explained.

‘She’s doing her best to tell the Americans that this doesn’t happen very often. She’s currently trying to delay her flights and is desperate to be home for both finals.

‘It’s incredible, really, having two All-Ireland finals to look forward to. It’s incredible for both myself and Philip – and it’s definitely going to be a very happy household for the Walls this Christmas.’