Beth Carton: Camogie has gone big in Waterford . . . before, it wouldn’t have been cool to carry a hurley

The Déise reached the 2022 All-Ireland senior semi-final and went one step further last season, going all the way to the final before going down heavily to Cork. And Carton, pointing to the numbers that followed them to Croke Park for last year’s decider, believes the interest in the game has swelled in recent seasons.

“The Waterford people are great to get behind us as well. There was a serious buzz. And maybe it’s come on to this year a bit,” she said.

“Camogie has gone big in Waterford. Whereas before it wouldn’t have been cool to carry a hurley down the street if you were a girl, now there are big numbers underage, there’s a lot of development teams involved – there’s three U-14 teams which we would never have seen before. So it has progressed the game big time.

“I see through my job, teaching, there’s loads of younger girls interested. Last year has helped a lot in progressing it.

“Go back to the semi-final at Nowlan Park and there was a massive crowd and a massive crowd for the final. It’s just about giving the Waterford crowd something to cheer about this year.”

Carton admitted the occasion may have gotten to her side in last year’s final. In their first appearance in the showpiece since 1945 they were picked apart by Cork, who ran out 19-point winners.

“You hate saying it but the experience could have got to us a small bit. Everything that comes with it.

“I think we had one of those days where everything went against us; nothing went for us. You have those days in sport. It’s just to learn from it. You can’t just ignore it either. I think we have put it behind us.”

There was some personal consolation for Carton as she was named player of the year for her displays.

“You do [take confidence]. But it’s a different season again. To get back to that form – you’re always trying to improve. You never feel as a player that you’ve made it. I know there is so much I have to improve on. I’m aiming for that this year. It’s about keeping building, getting the best out of yourself.”

Waterford sit joint top of Division 1A with two wins from three to date.

“It’s massive that we build on last year. You’re not guaranteed anything. We’re lucky that we’re in Division 1, getting to play against the top teams again. It’s massive for this year to get back on track, get momentum. And I think young girls will follow that.”