Tattoos, buckets and MS: Wexford's Ciara Storey has a tale to tell

There is a lot to sink your teeth into when talking about one of the most enduring, remarkable figures of camogie.

Ciara Storey has stuck with Wexford through the leanest of times, the worst of which arrived in a Division 1 League outing against Galway in 2019, when they could field only 13 players and were pummelled by 45 points, with the Tribeswomen even withdrawing two players at half-time.

This was just three years after the Yellowbellies had appeared in an All-Ireland semi-final. It was only seven since they had completed the three-in-a-row, with the teenage Storey having broken through in those halcyon days.

The daughter of former All-Ireland winning skipper Martin, she valued the Purple and Gold but after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis eight years ago, no one would have batted an eyelid had she walked away.

Though many did, Storey kept her shoulder firmly pressed to the wheel, making some lifestyle modifications for a disease that has no cure. She remained a leader in word and deed.

Then there is the tattoo. A half crescent moon and star, situated on her right quad.

An online search will provide different interpretations for the ink but like song lyrics, significance can be individual.

"The meaning is don't go on holidays with the Leacys. They’ll cod ya," details Storey, guffawing before explaining the origin of the skin art.

"Me, Úna Leacy, Mary Leacy and Niamh O’Connor went away to Thailand and Australia for six or eight weeks. I’d say we weren’t in Thailand six hours, we’d a few of the buckets in, and it was Mary’s great idea to get a tattoo. Mary was on about getting a barbed wire tattoo around her leg. We went into this place on Khao San Road in Bangkok. Mary was looking them up and it was taking too long