Shauna Healy back for Galway in All-Ireland final months after giving birth
Michael Bolton
Less than four months after giving birth to her second child, Galway's Shauna Healy was back in the squad for their All-Ireland camogie semi-final against Kilkenny.
Pippa will be in attendance on Sunday as Galway face Cork in a repeat of last year's decider in Croke Park.
Last year, her brother Billy got to experience watching his mother win the All-Ireland final against Cork.
While Healy's role may be limited at this stage of her career, she is looking forward to help Galway in any way she can to another All-Ireland.
“I’m back around seven or eight weeks, so it’s great to be in amongst the camp and in with the girls again; I’m really enjoying it,” says Healy.
“What other way would you have it? I mean, why not? You’re long enough sitting down and being retired, so when the body is able, we’ll give it another go.
At this early stage of their lives, Healy's children will be unaware of the magnitude of the occasion they will be attending.
While it is uncertain how many All-Ireland finals remain for the 35-year-old, she is excited to tell her children in the years to come what Sunday means.
"You can't really put words on it, really, can you? It is so special, and when I finish up, and, you know, when they're a bit older, to be like, 'how lovely was it that you were both in Cork Park and we gave you good days out'?
"I think he's been to nearly every pitch around, Nowlan Park, Thurles, Ennis, like, he's been everywhere; he's only two. Do you know, sure it's mighty."
Stepping away to become a mother once again, Galway manager Cathal Murray did not hesitate to bring Healy back into the fold.
"He's so supportive of us all, and that's the main thing. He's always so, what's the word (approachable)...you can go to him about anything, if there's anything going on. It was a big thing for him to ask me to go back again.
"He is just a great fit, and he manages everything so well. He's very organised, and he's got a great group around him as well."
When the opportunity arose, coming back for Galway was never a question.
“The door was never closed on me.
“What else would I be doing? It’s like anything, when you’re so used to it and when you’re so used to being in a routine, it’s really hard to kind of be at home all the time.
“When the opportunity arose, I was like, ‘sure, why not?’ I have good support around me, so when I got the backing of them at home, I said I’d go for it.”
Sunday will mark another chapter in this rivalry, with Galway winning the All-Ireland final last year thanks to a last-minute free from Carrie Dolan,
Cork were the winners in the 2024 final, while Cork also won the match between the sides in the group stages.
In what should be another thrilling battle, Helay expects plenty of physicality.
“There’s always a huge physicality there, like always.
“I don’t think either team expects anything less. Look, it’s great to be lining out in another All-Ireland final.
“The girls drive the standards there within the group and they keep it going. The senior players in particular are great, Carrie Dolan is a great captain and she keeps driving standards.
“But it’s everybody’s job to keep driving those standards. I suppose that’s why we’re back here.
"The freshness of the younger players helps too. They’re brilliant. I see it there with training; they bring us on as well. They’re so fast and they’re fit, and their skill level is outrageous so we’ve no other choice but to get up to their standard so it kind of balances out, everyone is learning off everyone.”
