Rebels Homan in on All-Ireland glory

While some might think the presence of Cork and Kilkenny’s second string squads in Sunday’s Glen Dimplex All-Ireland intermediate camogie final (3pm, live on RTÉ2) is unfair, the facts are, that seven of the last ten titles have been won by first teams.

Cork’s last victory was in 2018 and Kilkenny’s two years before that, when they beat the Rebels by a point.

Lauren Homan, who skippers this year’s Leeside intermediate side, won her second senior All-Ireland medal that year and believes her own experiences are just one good reason for second string outfits being allowed to participate at this level.

“We’ve a big mixture of youth and experienced players,” says Homan of the current panel. “We’ve the likes of Edel Sheehan, Eimear Duignan, the O’Donoghue twins (Caoimhe and Emily) coming in from the last few minor winning teams. Emily O’Donoghue got on the All-Stars minor team last year so we’ve really talented girls coming through the ranks.

“I was introduced to the senior squad when I was 17. I had the honour of playing alongside the likes of Orla Cotter, Gemma O’Connor, Rena Buckley. Learning from those is unbelievable.

“I was just finished minor, doing my Leaving Cert. That’s such a good reason as why we should have second teams as I feel like I may have been introduced to it a bit too young. I could have done with the next step up.

“I don’t think the jump was too high for me but it was the competition that was there at the time wasn’t easy! The talent within Cork camogie is unbelievable. We have the most club teams in the whole of Ireland. It’s hard to just pick 30 girls to play county so I think we should be able to have a second team to bring up the level of camogie and give more players an opportunity.

“I do think