As the Laois Ladies prepared for their All Ireland Final back to July, we spoke to former captain, Laura Nerney.
Highly passionate, skilled, driven, devoted and focused are just some of the words that come to mind when speaking to former Laois captain, Laura Nerney.
While Laura will sit this year’s All Ireland final out after recently welcoming her baby boy and settling into motherhood, she has remained an important leader and figure for the squad throughout the year not only in the role of Female Liaison Officer but sharing her experience, advice and passion with the squad.
The 33-year-old is no stranger to the blue and white jersey as she has played a key role in the last number of years including captaining her squad to the Division 3 National League title in 2021.
She has experience in abundance between her years in the Laois jersey as well as her days of playing with Portlaoise underage up to 2015 and onto Foxrock-Cabinteely.
In 2015, Laura made the decision to transfer to Dublin. With a desire to keep up football and find a balance her working life as a doctor, she kicked the first ball with Foxrock-Cainteely in 2015 and an impressive football career followed in the next six years which saw her pick up six Dublin senior county titles, five Leinster club titles and playing in two All Ireland Club finals where they came up short.
“The first county title I won with Foxrock-Cabinteely is one of my career highlights. It was another step in a long successful journey with them and it was the first of many to come,” she explained, having won a county title with the club every year she played with them.
“Part of my heart will always be with Foxrock-Cabinteely and the magical journey I had but you never forget your roots!”
Inevitable, home is where the hearts is and it was work, life and family brought Laura back home to Portlaoise where she transferred back in 2021.
Life has been full of changes for the Portlaoise woman but her love for game couldn’t keep her away from the pitch. She explained: “When I found out I was pregnant I knew I didn’t want to retire. I wasn’t ready to retire. I had more years in me. I couldn’t step away.”
“I told Donie (Brennan) that I was going to be there and he asked me to consider the role of Female Liaison Officer.
“I was more than happy to do it. I felt it gave me a purpose and it was my way of staying involved.”
“It was eye opening to see the work that goes on behind the scenes. When you’re a player you’re focused on yourself and your game and you’re naïve at what goes on behind the scenes. I’ve great admiration for everyone doing that work”, added the former county wing back.
Looking forward to the All-Ireland final next weekend, Laura assured that the squad have what it takes to lift the Mary Quinn Memorial Cup and insists that their experience has a big role to play.
“That group is together since Donie (Brennan) got involved in 2020 and they’ve been building. Last year’s loss is at the back of everyone’s mind. They’re more focused and hungrier than ever. Success was always coming.”
“Over the last few years it has been a mixed bag of emotions for me. When Donie took over he brought passion and hunger back into Laois football and he instilled it back into us. This year there is belief. They buy into their own belief and Donie’s belief,” Laura emotionally explained.
“Next weekend there will be nothing between the teams. If they fall behind, keep working. If they go ahead, keep working. They’ve already proved they can do it and they will play their hearts out,” she enthused.
Speaking from her experience on the field, Laura shared what she believes it takes to get to an All-Ireland final. She explained: “Collectively, you need belief to get to a final. Individually you don’t want to let anybody down. Any time you’re training or playing you give 100% for everybody else and for yourself. “
From a captain’s perspective “you look for work rate. Games are won or lost at any point. Commitment definitely is key. You need a mentality to commit and understand the sacrifices it takes. You want to be part of something that is bigger than just you.”
With the huge occasion just over a week away Laura reminisced on her own memories of being a young girl in Croke Park in 2001 wearing a retro jersey and blue and white face paint.
“They are such fond memories. This is a massive occasion and even at the meet and greet on Wednesday night, the interest was overwhelming.
“It’s all happening and it’s so important we bring our kids to these events and matches. There are other pulls for young girls that might result in the losing interest in sport but days like this bring interest and love for the game.”
The game comes full circle and now it is this team’s turn to shine as seen in previous days.
“Sarah Anne Fitzgerald was laughing because she was signing a jersey for Mary Casey’s kids and one of Sarah Anne’s main memories is Mary Casey signing her jersey at that age. That’s what it’s about,” Laura laughed.
Indeed there is a strong family connection for Laura as both Sarah Anne and Mo Nerney are her first cousins. Sunday will be a proud day for the wider Nerney family, and in particular for their grandmother Maureen in Killenard, a huge Gaelic games supporter, who has followed the fortunes of her children and grandchildren for decades now.
And wearing the blue and white isn’t something new in her own family – her dad Brian was one of Laois’s finest players in the 1980s.
The love for the game, you feel, will be passed on to the next generation too.
Just under five weeks ago, Laura’s life changed forever.
Her resilience, passion and strength she has practiced on the field are also shown off the field especially as a new mother.
What was already a busy schedule as a club and county footballer as well as a local GP, Laura is learning the ropes of motherhood.
“It crazy to think this person is yours. From the day they’re born you get to watch them grow. You’ve to get used to giving up a certain amount of your time and freedom. My time is not just for me anymore.
“At some point a lot of female athletes have to decide when is right to do all of this. I felt I didn’t want to retire.
“I was so happy on the pitch and I think my son would want me to do that and get back to it in the years to come. You can decide – is the curtain drawn or will you go back at it and he is my motivation to be the best I can be,” she expressed.
While her hopes are to be back on the field in the future, Laura insists she is taking things day by day.
“It’s hard to say for sure because it’s still early days. If we’re going well, he’s doing well and I’m physically recovering well the aim is to get back. Mentally I do want to get back. We’ll wait and see.”
If there is one thing for sure about Laura Nerney, it is that her strength, mindset, determination and hard work won’t change. We reckon we’ll be seeing her back in top form.
Key quotes:
“Medals gather dust but memories never fade.”
“Success was coming.”
“Part of my heart will always be with Foxrock-Cabinteely and the magical journey I had but you never forget your roots!”
