2017 was another successful year for Ashling Thompson. After shining in Croke Park as Cork secured the All-Ireland over Galway, she collected her second All-Star, being picked in midfield for that team.
In the past she's captained her county to an All-Ireland and won the same accolade with her club, Milford. Yet throughout it all, Thompson has only gotten the opportunity to hurl in the home of Cork GAA once.
Recent developments by the LGFA encourage the Camogie star, but she wants her own association to follow suit.
In terms of Camogie improving, we're always on about it. I know the Dublin ladies footballers have a serious amount of double-headers this year but I think it has to filter down into every other county. Fair play to them, for pushing to get that. It's brilliant and that's how the LGFA is constantly growing. It would be really nice to see the Camogie do the same. Look at the recent double-header in Offaly...
A double-header could not be arranged in Offaly last week due to concern about the playing surface, but this week's trip to Galway has been fixed for a hurling and camogie double-header with the better playing surface of Pearse Stadium available.
Thompson would like to see that becall the rule rather than the exception, in the same way the LGFA organised eight Lidl NFL ties to serve as curtain-raisers ahead of matches involving the men’s teams. She called on both the GAA and Camogie organisation to work together in order to make it happen.
When it comes to Dublin and the men's brilliant but it has to filter down to other counties. Fair enough this time of the year is tough. When it comes to summertime, the only way it's going to improve is if you integrate into one.
We do have our own Camogie grounds but there is no stand.
Thompson is more upbeat about the season ahead, with Tracey Kennedy taking the role of chairperson and the redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh completed.
Páirc Uí Chaoimh, I think I've only played there once in my life, which is a terrible thing to say. I just don't really understand it but I feel like there is a new GAA chairperson now. I feel like she is definitely going to push for us to get in there. Having the two and the men's using the facility, that's what it is built for. I think it's going to change the game down in Cork.
Ashling Thompson was speaking at the new Laochra Gael series launch in Croke Park. Her episode will air on Wednesday 14th March.
