IT’S ORL FOR TEAM
Selfless Rebel star takes the limelight at last
ALL-IRELAND hero Orla Cotter has put the team first for her entire career.
When Cork camogie legend Jenny O’leary retired, the tall St Catherine’s player took over the placed ball duties and emerged from the shadows.
The scoring returns went through the roof and this increased profile drew attention to her general play more too: the classy touches, the workrate, the clever passing.
It was Cotter who gave the perfect stick pass to Gemma O’connor for that outrageous equalising point in last year’s decider, with two seconds of regulation time remaining. She is one of the most accurate shooters in Camogie but that was the better ball.
The only time she put herself first was when choosing to go on honeymoon after getting married in May. It was a dream trip that meant she missed training and the start of the Championship. In more than a decade as a Cork player, she had never been away despite working as a teacher with three months holidays.
“You only, hopefully, get married once so we just said we’d do it” she said in an interview last month.
Cotter was back in the fold by the time she celebrated her 30th birthday in July but there has been no slipping in standards. In truth, she looks to be getting better.
“Orla Cotter’s freetaking was immense today” said Cork boss Paudie Murray. “I think one free she missed in the whole Championship, which says it all really.”
Kevin Murray spoke a few weeks ago about the work he has done with Cotter, about not messing with the completely individual style she has - almost genuflecting as the left knee bends, left hand over right á la Joe Deane as a lefthanded player that feels more comfortable striking off her right.
He wanted to give her a process though, and ensure it would hold up under mental and physical duress.
“I generally try not to change their method but what I try to do is make sure they have a routine” the coach explained.
“I’ve worked a lot with Orla, down to timing, how long it takes her to take a free, or building up to taking a free from the minute we receive a free. We just put in routines that it’s very solid.
“She has her own style and is very comfortable in that style and I’m not one for changing that – it’s very functional. It’s unique.
So what was Cotter thinking standing over that last gasp free on Sunday?
“Please go over the bar!” she exclaimed with a laugh.
The technique and routine had held up.
“You practice a lot and you’re just delighted when they go over then.”
Having missed what for her was an easy opportunity earlier in the half you wonder if it preyed on her mind?
“You just try and forget about it and think of the next ball, or next free. Get it out of your head straight away.
“It could have gone anyway. It’s been the way with our battles with Kilkenny the last number of years. The league Final, last year’s All-ireland, this year’s final. Kilkenny are a superb team.
“Every score, every block, every hook counted. Every little thing that every player did. Aoife Murray made an unbelievable save towards the end there.
“It was a team effort and we’re delighted to come out on top in the end.”