Mohan's hands helping Bennekerry/Tinryland in more ways than one

Six years ago when Bennekerry Tinryland centre-back, Nuala Mohan settled in Carlow if someone had told her she would play in an All-Ireland final with her new club Bennekerry/Tinryland, there is every chance she would have told them they were off their rocker.

After all, on a national scale, she knows quite a lot about the club game. The Monaghan native played with Tyholland in the 2004 intermediate final but St Brigids of Roscommon claimed victory.

When she moved to Dublin she joined Foxrock Cabinteely, winning three senior championship titles and two Leinster club medals. After settling in Carlow she travelled up to Dublin for training during the week.

“It is funny. It was the year before I joined Bennekerry/Tinryland the Carlow ladies had got to an All-Ireland semi-final where Derry beat them by a point. I knew the potential was there to get to Croke Park but I suppose I felt it would be with the county team,” she admitted.

In her role as a Chartered Physiotherapist with Anthony “Star” Geoghegan, she witnessed team mates picking up serious injuries. Many found themselves in the care of the Monaghan exile. She found that tough at times.

“They came through me. I would have sent them for MRI’s and got the results back. I had to be the one to tell them their cruciate was gone and having to need surgery. It is hard to make that call to anyone let alone one of your best friends. Definitely puts a different spin on your sporting life as well,” she said.

It could be said Mohan is at the coalface when playing and then treating injuries.

“It is something which you are very proud of when you see players coming through the stages, through the ranks and returning to play. Getting girls back who you have rehabbed from start to finish, it is something which, I suppose I would be personally proud of to be part of.” 

She has learned so much with “Star” Geoghegan.

“They have the facilities here to be able to give the girls treatment. “Star” has had so many high-level athletes in here over the years, I have learned so much from him which helps me to guide girls through their treatment.

“Even some of the equipment really benefits the players when they encounter a problem during their cruciate journey. It is a great set-up and it is good to be able to have some of “Star’s” wisdom. He has played his own part with Bennekerry-Tinryland that he doesn’t realise,” stressed Mohan.

From losing heavily in Leinster last year, the road to Croke Park has been sensational. How did this journey start?” 

“Last year we had a lot of cruciate injuries. Girls out with shoulder injuries and different things like that. This year we have been lucky to keep everyone on the right track. With a few players back like Aoibhinn Webb who was abroad, she used to come and play summer football with us but having her here for the year has been a big boost too.” 

And so the conversation moves to the opposition. She doesn’t know much about them.

“All year we have literally looked at the next game. You don’t look ahead. Even in the Leinster championship when we had four games in a row we would meet and talk about our performance the week before.

“We are focussed on the next team. We have only talked about Annaghdown since the weekend. Any team who gets to an All-Ireland final will be good. Being in Croke Park, it adds a bit extra. They have been at that stage before. They have a lot of players who played there but we haven’t. It is going to be a battle, we know that and hopefully we will be up to the task on the day.”