Jane Adams | Veronica Curtin | Claire Doherty | Mags D'Arcy
Aisling Diamond | Shónagh Enright | Jessica Gill | Fiona Hahnefeld | Mary Lacey Ciara Lucey | Therese Maher | Mairin McAleenan | Eimear McDonnell
Sinéad Millea | Niamh Mulcahy | Eileen O'Brien | Mary O'Connor
Una O'Donaghue | Una O'Dwyer | Imelda Kennedy | Catherine O'Loughlin
Jen O'Leary | Joanne Ryan | Marie Dargan | Sinéad Cahalan
Tina Hannon | Trish Jackman

It’s been an outstanding year in Mags D’Arcy’s camogie career. In February she was part of the UCD team that won the Ashbourne Cup for the first time since 1988 and she was then picked as No.1 on the 2007 Colleges All-Star team. Mags Darcy had arrived but the best was yet to come! After losing out to Cork by the narrowest of margins in a thrilling National League final in May, they picked themselves up and set out on the trail of the O’Duffy Cup with renewed confidence. They went on to beat Cork, Dublin, Galway and Kilkenny with their only defeat coming at the hands of Tipperary. This set up a semi-final date with Galway, where they booked a place in the final for the first time since 1994 in a scoreline of 2-18 to 0-14.

It was a great day for Wexford as they took on Cork in the final. The Model County got off to a dream start with two great goals from Una Leacy that rocked the Rebels. Cork fought back like real champions but Mags and Wexford held on for a historic win and their first All-Ireland title in 32 years.

What is it like being part of an up-and-coming team like Wexford and winning an All-Ireland final?
The set-up within Wexford camogie this year has been excellent, it certainly show’s in the team’s performances and it’s great to be involved with such a talented bunch of girls who all want the same thing.

It’s been a great year for Wexford camogie. What have been the highlights for you?
Playing in Croke Park was brilliant but winning the All-Ireland against such a great team as Cork was the icing on the cake. It has always been a personal goal not only for me but for most of the girls on the team.

What has been your greatest moment in sport?
Winning the All-Ireland final this year. Winning the Ashbounre Cup this year with UCD comes close probably for more reasons off the pitch than on, however, it was a great moment for a great bunch of girls.

Which is the toughest team you have ever faced?
A few years ago there was a spell in which Tipp were going for a three-in-a-row of All-Irelands, during that period I probably saw the back of the net more times than the ball itself.

Who was the hardest forward you had to defend against?
Wexford’s finest, Michelle Hearne.

Which players do you admire the most?
As a young player I admired Jovita Delaney who was the Tipp goalkeeper. I have a lot of respect for the likes of Áine Codd, Kate Kelly and a numerous amount of players around the country who give huge commitment every year.

Who was your childhood sporting hero?
I was a big fan of Eric Cantona; the way he played football was and still is unforgettable.

What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
I play for St Martins who are a club at Senior level. We last reached the County final in 2005 against Oulart-The Ballagh; they would be the favourites to win this year.

Do you play any other sports?
Although camogie takes up a lot of time I try to squeeze in a bit of Gaelic football throughout the season as it’s nice to get a balance and a break away from the hurley one or two nights of the week.

What are your hopes for the future?
To take as much enjoyment out of what I’m doing for as long as I’m doing it.

What’s the most important skill for a goalkeeper in your opinion?
Confidence and concentration is what sets any player apart from another. You could have all the skills in the world but if you don’t know how to use it it’s worth nothing to you and your team mates at the end of the day.

What advice would you give to young players?
Give everything you have in training as it will stand to you in a match situation.

Name: Mags D’Arcy
Age: 19
Team: Wexford
Debut: 2002 v Galway
Position: Goalkeeper
Honours:
1 All-Ireland Senior title,
1 Ashbourne Cup title,
1 All-Ireland League title,
4 Leinster Senior titles,
2 Leinster Minor titles,
3 Leinster U-16 titles,
1 Senior B County title,
1 Leinster Colleges title.

Club: St Martins
Fav Food: Mexican
Fav Read: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
Fav Music: Acoustic
Fav Film: Airplane
Fav TV: Grey’s Anatomy
Hobbies: Hockey and Gaelic football
Occupation: Student

CúlFACT:
Mags also loves football and in 2006 she took part in the TG4 Underdogs Ladies football team. She loved every minute of it.

© September 2007