Women in Sport: All-Ireland Camogie Champion Fionnuala Carr

All-Ireland Champion and Down’s Captain, Fionnuala Carr’s sporting career, as a camogie player, is a story that spans across two decades, and is characterised by her contribution and passion for the game.

During her camogie career, Fionnuala was also working in the commercial sector when an idea for a business venture came up. A question from a client, through her job, regarding solar sparked an interest in exploring this industry further, and she decided to create the start-up, MarVal Power.

Here, she shares her sporting story so far…

Name: Fionnuala Carr

Profession: Company Director of MarVal Power, Leading Provider of Solar PV Energy Solutions across Ireland and UK.

Earliest sporting memory?

Watching my dad play for Down and playing camogie with my aunt in my grandparents back garden.

How did you become involved in your sport?

Sport is a huge part of my family and family background. We use to follow my dad to his training and matches when we were small, it became something that became second nature to us.

What message would you like to share with young women and girls interested in pursuing a career as an athlete?

Believe in yourself and have the confidence to pursue your dreams. There will be set backs along the way but just remember the game and sport that you fell in love with.

Proudest moment so far…

Winning the Club All Ireland with Clonduff camogie and being able to lift the cup with my son Finn, sister Sara Louise, and god daughter Cara.

The female athlete I admire most is…

Serena Williams, because of her strength and winning mentality.

Favourite sporting memory…

All the memories we shared with Clonduff camogie along the way are very special.

Do you think there is still a stigma around women in sport?

Yes I believe there is still a stigma around women in sport, I believe it is changing for the better but there are people of an older generation who hold positions of power that will continue to put men’s sport first.

What is the biggest barrier to driving visibility in women’s sports?

Increased exposure in the media.

The biggest stigma/pre-conception that exists in women’s sport is…

That the women don’t have the same level of skill that the men have.

If I wasn’t an athlete I would be…

A full time travel agent for Clonduff camogs.

My favourite pre-matcgh meal is…

Plain chicken with pasta.

My pre-match playlist includes…

I don’t listen to any because it can get me too emotional before games!

My biggest sporting goal is…

To remain competitive with the younger, faster girls coming through!

Sports brands I love (Irish or otherwise)…

Gym + Coffee, and Sweaty Betty leggings.

Biggest splurge to celebrate a win…

No massive splurges, just plenty of craic and downtime with the girls.

How do you mind your mental health?

I try to take time to myself when I need it and switch off by bring my dog Jackson for a walk up the mountain or around a forest park where it’s quiet.

My three desert island beauty products are:

Epionce face wash, toner and daily moisturiser and tinted SPF!

I need at least 7 hours of sleep a night because… I have a toddler to run after during the day!

Confidence, to me, is…

Believing in your ability to achieve something, you might have doubts but you do it anyway.

How do you get over a bad performance?

It takes me a few days or weeks but I switch off and spend time with family. As I have gotten older I try not to dwell too long on the defeats.

Lastly, why is sport such an integral part of community, on a club, local, national and personal level?

Sport has a place for everyone, it gives people something to be part of and passionate about. Whether it is in a playing role or an administrative role everyone is equal and everyone is part of it. Our camogie team has been lucky to have great success but we have been very lucky with the committee we have behind us. Supporting us and making sure we have everything we need to succeed.

Imagery provided by Fionnuala Carr.