Niamh Rockett reaping rewards of split season

The answers to the Q&A staple of who one would invite to dinner or like to play a round of golf with are often informative.

A few years ago, Niamh Rockett, captain of the Waterford team that plays Wexford in the Very Camogie League Division 1B final at FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday (12pm throw-in, livestream on the Camogie Association's YouTube channel) reported that her gathering would comprise Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin, broadcaster Doireann Garrihy, pioneering world champion boxer Katie Taylor and jump jockey Donagh Meyler.

That list speaks to the 29-year-old’s love of showbiz, glitz and glamour, as well as a penchant for a one-liner and hearty guffaw at any given opportunity. It is indicative too of a real fascination with high performance sport, the psychology of it and different challenges surrounding it.

Horse racing has been an interest for many years, thanks largely to her father, the former Waterford hurler Eddie Rockett, but she knows a lot more about what jockeys must endure since starting to go out with Meyler. It’s not every sport or job that you are followed around by two ambulances while going about your work.

"I used to go to racing a lot but it’s interesting how different jockeys are to us," says Rockett. "It’s their whole life and they sort of have to cater for everything themselves.

"With us, we have different careers and are part of a group with that back-up when playing.

"For jockeys it’s very up and down and I see the bad side as well as the good side. Having to constantly watch their weight, the falls, the injuries and getting dropped off horses because of one bad ride.

"Even the best lose more than they win. It’s constant pressure but thankfully things are going pretty well for Donagh at the