Karen Kennedy embracing leadership role as Tipperary prepare for All-Ireland semi-final

As the countdown to the All-Ireland senior camogie semi-final gathers pace, Tipperary captain Karen Kennedy is calm, composed, and ready for battle.

With just days to go before they take to the pitch, the Clonoulty Rossmore defender spoke about her personal preparations, the mood in the camp, and the growing buzz around the Premier County.

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After an impressive win over Kilkenny in the quarter-final, Tipp have enjoyed a two-week lead-in to their next challenge.

“Yeah, going well,” Kennedy said of her preparations. “We’ve had two weeks' training since the Kilkenny match. So yeah, I think training’s been going well.

"It’s been really tough and there are a lot of people putting their hands up for positions. So yeah, it’s been tough but it’s really enjoyable and I’m looking forward to next week.”

The Kilkenny game itself was a major test, but one that Tipp passed with grit and determination.

“Yeah, definitely,” she said when asked if the win would stand to them. “Look, I suppose there’s a lot of parts of that game that we wouldn’t be happy with but the way we responded and came out with the win is really positive and it’s something we’ll take into next weekend, definitely.”

Matchday brings its own routines and rituals for Kennedy, but she prefers to keep things simple.

“I don’t have too many,” she smiled. “Just get up, have breakfast, might go for a little stroll and then before every match just meet the girls for coffee. So that’s the most important part. I love your coffee. Yeah, thanks. I’m a big coffee lover.”

In the dressing room, the atmosphere remains relaxed, despite the stakes.

“Yeah, it’s usually pretty relaxed. Jono usually has us set up with the tunes so he’s always the dressing room well prepared and Roisin will probably take over when she comes in.

"But I wouldn’t be into the music too much myself. I just let that go on in the background. It’s pretty relaxed in the dressing room to be fair. We just get our own work, get our prep done, get the activation done and just be prepping yourself to go out on the field.”

Being named captain of the Tipperary senior camogie team is a dream many aspire to, but few achieve. For Kennedy, it’s a privilege she doesn't take lightly.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s a huge honour,” she said. “Something probably I don’t know if I would have seen myself as one, but absolutely honoured to take the captaincy of this team.

"It’s probably easy to step into that role with players that we have on the team. You don’t feel like you need to lead when everyone is a leader around here. And yeah, there’s such big personalities and leaders out there. There’s a lot of players in the group that you don’t feel like it’s just down to one person.”

Last year’s narrow semi-final defeat to Galway still lingers for many, but Kennedy insists the focus is firmly on the now.

“Yeah, I suppose at the end of last year, I suppose when we started this year, we packed that and we probably reviewed last year and looked over that before we started this year.

"But we kind of leave that in the past now,” she explained. “I suppose this is a new championship and we’re just going to be working on, I suppose, our goals for this year and the way we want to play. So I don’t think we’ll be taking much from last year’s semi-final.

"We’ll obviously have learned from parts of that throughout the year, but it’s mainly on our performance and the way we want to play this year is most important.”

With the Tipperary hurlers preparing for an All-Ireland final of their own, there’s a palpable buzz across the county. It’s something the camogie team are keen to feed off.

“Yeah, definitely. Look, there’s such a buzz around Tipperary at the moment. And you can’t but feel it. You can’t but feed into it,” said Kennedy.

“Looking at what the lads have achieved this year is really, really inspiring and you take huge belief in what they have shown and what they have achieved so far. So, yeah, I think it’s created a great buzz around Tipp and hopefully we can continue it on.”

Despite the magnitude of the occasion, Kennedy insists she doesn't let nerves get the better of her, at least not outwardly.

“I’d like to say I don’t get too nervous, but I think my family would probably say different,” she laughed. “I’d probably just be a bit quieter than usual. Don’t like to get too nervous. Probably not. Maybe a little bit, the dressing room beforehand, but once you get into the warm-up, I think that goes.”

With Kennedy leading the charge, Tipp fans can be assured that their team will approach the semi-final with belief, hunger and a clear focus on finishing what they’ve started.

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