Cork Camogie & Mardyke Arena UCC Launch “Development Pathway Program”

Mardyke Arena UCC and Cork Camogie Forge Landmark Partnership to Launch the “Development Pathway Program”

Cork, Ireland – May 31, 2024 – Mardyke Arena UCC and Cork Camogie proudly announce the official launch of this pivotal program at Mardyke Performance Centre. This milestone event, set for Friday, May 31st, heralds the beginning of an exclusive partnership designed to maximise athletic & personal development for the Cork Camogie development pathways.

This strategic alliance positions Mardyke Arena UCC at the forefront of athlete development, offering the highest level of support to the Cork Camogie pathways through its state-of-the-art performance facilities. The partnership underscores a long-term commitment to nurturing athletic excellence and holistic growth for Cork Camogie’s rising stars.

“Our partnership with Cork Camogie signifies a transformative moment for sports development within Cork,” stated Christine Moloney, CEO, Mardyke Arena UCC. “We are dedicated to providing top-tier facilities, expert coaching, and cutting-edge training methodologies that empower athletes to achieve their highest potential. This initiative is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence.”

The comprehensive program is meticulously designed by Athletic Performance Manager, Damien O’Donoghue, along with his team of S&C coaches, to support the athletic development and personal growth of Cork Camogie’s U-14, U-15, U-16, and U-17 squads. It features stage-specific physical development plans and a holistic workshop series covering vital aspects such as wellness, nutrition, sleep, recovery, and mental skills. This robust framework ensures that each player receives the education and support necessary to excel both on and off the field.

Key highlights of the program include:

  • Tailored Athletic Development: Customised training regimens that align with each stage of the player pathway model.
  • Holistic Workshops: In-depth sessions on wellness, nutrition, mental skills, and more, fostering well-rounded athlete development.
  • Expert Coaching: Access to top-tier coaches and sports professionals committed to nurturing talent.
  • State-of-the-Art Facilities: Utilisation of Mardyke Arena UCC’s performance facilities, designed to support high-level athletic performance & development.

The launch event will celebrate this innovative partnership and showcase the Mardyke Arena UCC Performance facilities, highlighting the commitment of both organisations to fostering the next generation of camogie stars.

For more information about Mardyke Performance Facilities, Athletic Performance programs and the Cork Camogie Player Development Pathway, please contact:

Damien O Donoghue

Mardyke Arena UCC

Email: dodonoghue@ucc.ie

Website: www.mardykearena.com

About Mardyke Arena UCC

Mardyke Arena UCC is a leading athletic performance, student’s sports, & fitness facility at University College Cork, renowned for its commitment to excellence and innovative programs. It provides state-of-the-art resources and expert guidance to support students & athletes in achieving their full potential.

About Cork Camogie

Camogie is one of the fastest, most skillful female field sports and Cork are currently top of the list for winning Senior All Ireland Titles and in August 2023 brought home the O’Duffy Cup after 4 years, which was considered a drought in Cork. Great celebrations were enjoyed by the Cork Camogie Family.

This achievement didn’t just happen, it was achieved due to the management and panel and came with heartache, a hard-working dedicated ethos and also the excellent back-room team of coaches, S & C, physios, doctors, sports psychology and performance coaching etc.

Cork, as a premier Camogie County, are proud of our history and in bringing success to our County and this is something we want to continue. However, we feel there is never a time to stand still and admire your achievements. When it comes to sport the standards are always changing, improving, and evolving and as a County we need to keep up and maybe be ahead.

Cork continues to look outside the box and know that the demands on our players both mentally and physically have increased tenfold over the past number of years and as a County who wants to stay at the top and be in the running for All Irelands at all ages and at adult level then we must leave no stone unturned in our preparation.

The recent Player Charter for all first teams in Camogie and LGFA is an advancement which is seeing more funds going directly to the players and an increase in spending for the core resources required at Inter-County level.

With all these changes happening we look to our Development Academy’s and while we are aware that the girls will always get excellent coaching for their skills; match preparation and tactics, we feel now is time to progress the excellent programme and enhance and look at the holistic view that the players need to be given the tools to achieve their true potential.

On Meeting Damien O Donoghue it was like a meeting of minds – merging the views, ethics, coaching ethos and the overall view of females getting the best that we can provide was met and exceeded. Through the custom programmes for each age group, their excellent facility; expert coaching and state of the art facilities this programme is exceeding my expectations and from attending some of the sessions and seeing the smiling faces, but tired bodies leave at the end of the sessions is a testament that we are getting it right. The programme created is available to our Under 14’s; Under 15’s Under 16 B’s and Under 17’s – this is their player pathway to progressing their skills and personal development.

This programme will benefit Cork going forward and with the commitment of the players, parents, clubs and divisions there will be long term benefits for all involved in Camogie withing the county. While we would love to have everyone involved, we have all divisions represented within the programme and the girls can bring back what they have learned to each of their Clubs.

It is the start of what I anticipate will be a long-lasting partnership with the Mardyke Arena UCC. In Cork we like to think we are trail blazers and will continue to source and secure the best for our players at all levels and this is definitely going in the right direction. “Mairead Donovan, Chairperson Cork Camogie”

For media enquiries, please contact:

Damien O Donoghue

Mardyke Arena UCC

Email: dodonoghue@ucc.ie

Website: www.mardykearena.com

Mairead Donovan

Chairperson Cork Camogie

Email: chairperson.cork@camogie.ie

Website: www.corkcamogie.com

Share This