‘It’s time to make it happen’ - Eviston confident that Tipperary have what it takes

By Niall McIntyre

Mairead Eviston says that as long as she’s been playing, the Tipperary camogie panel has never been as strong as it is now.

Tipperary take on Galway in UPMC Nowlan Park this Saturday with the aim of reaching a first All-Ireland final since 2006. They have knocked on the door in recent years, losing at this stage in ‘18, ‘19, ‘20 and ‘21 and again last year without breaking in.

Last year’s semi-final loss to Waterford was a seriously bitter pill to swallow, according to Eviston, but the team have come back stronger.

Winning the National League title against Galway in April was a sure sign of their progression and after topping their championship group, a group which included Kilkenny and Waterford, Eviston says they’re exactly where they want to be.

“We wanted the direct route to the semi-final. So, we were delighted to top the group and progress that way.

“Kilkenny, Galway and Cork, they are known as the top three,” she continues.

“And that’s why everyone wants to beat them.

“But I think the last two years, ourselves and Waterford are coming up and pushing for that All-Ireland glory.

“That defeat in Nowlan Park hurt, and it hurt for a long, long time, and it wasn’t until the League final win that we really got over it.

“We don’t want that to happen again,” she says.

Having struggled to beat the big guns in previous years, this year has been different.

Starting with Cork in the League, through to Galway in the League final and onto Kilkenny last time out, Tipperary have beaten them all. Eviston says they’ve never had more belief and confidence.

“We’ve been speaking about having belief over the last few years.

“Between last year’s Munster final and this year’s League, those wins have given us great confidence.

“We have a really strong bench and seeing the likes of Cait (Devane) coming on settles the ship a little bit and brings a little bit of composure to the side.”

Eviston says their in-house training games can be just as intense as some championship matches.

“There’s no easy option in training of who you’re marking. It’s always a battle and sometimes it’s nearly harder to mark some of the girls in training than it is in championship matches.

“We had three girls doing the Leaving Cert, they finished on the Thursday and were training then Thursday night. That shows the commitment and the drive that’s in the group to make a stab at the championship this year.”

A newly qualified teacher, the Drom & Inch player has gone from the half back line in years gone by to the full back now. While admitting it does bring extra responsibility, she says the fundamentals of her game are unchanged.

“Two or three years ago, I might have been shying away from it, but I’ve settled in. The management have really supported me. Every match I go out, I’m gaining more confidence and experience. But essentially your role is the same. You try and mark your player, you try not to give away frees, and you try to stop them from scoring.”

Eviston knows that this is a big opportunity for Tipp camogie. She is confident they can take it.

“There are a few players at the older end of the panel that are becoming aware that time is running out.

“We have the players. We have the training. We have the belief. We have the confidence. And now it’s time to make it happen.”