Roscommon player recognised after making over 100 appearances
Helena Cummins, on the occasion of her 103rd appearance for Roscommon, with members from her club, Michael Glaveys. Pictured are (l-r): Shauna Fleming; Brendan Cregg Michael Glaveys and Connacht LGFA President; Helena Cummins; Pat Heneghan, Michael Glaveys and Roscommon LGFA Connacht Council Delegate, and Niamh Fleming.
Helena Cummins is not one for making a fuss.
When contacted by the to mark the fact that she has registered over 100 appearances for her county, she was surprised to say the last.
The Michael Glavey’s clubwoman is not one for keeping an eye on records. Quite simply, sharpening her tools with a view to constant improvement dominates her thought process.
Cummins is a model of consistency but she’s not somebody who seeks to grab the headlines. Facing a rampaging full-forward in a one-on-one scenario when the game is on the line is the environment she thrives in.
Despite the recent All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Leitrim, she was able to reflect on a proud moment. The Michael Glavey’s clubwoman admitted that she only realised she had registered 103 appearances in the Roscommon jersey when presented with a framed jersey after the game.
“I was caught on the hop. I was delighted to reach it and it shows how long I have been part of the panel. It is a nice achievement and it’s nice that it was acknowledged. It was a pity that it wasn’t after a win, but it was still a lovely gesture,” she recalled.
Cummins feels her role as a goalkeeper has changed dramatically over the years. Previously, the goalkeeper was simply there to kick the ball out long. Even though Cummins possesses the coveted ability to send her restarts over any press, the 33-year-old feels that the role of the shot-stopper is now far more demanding.
“There is a lot more to it now. Back in the day goalkeepers were just there to make a few saves and boot the ball down the field. Nowadays there is more strategy behind it and different drills being done to get the ball out the field and retain possession. When you have possession, the other team can’t do any damage.
“It (the goalkeeping position) is getting more attention and I suppose it is getting more appreciated as the years go on. It probably wouldn’t have been as appreciated a few years ago as much as it is in today’s football,” she explained.
Despite the experience she has accrued, Cummins is still filled with a hunger to improve. She admits that the reduced physical stakes for a goalkeeper helps but she believes that her position requires a greater mental resolve. Any mistake by a goalkeeper is scrutinised to a higher degree.
“Physicality wise, it isn’t as tough on the body as playing outfield would be. That is good in one sense to allow the body to go on a bit longer. Mentally it is probably a bit more challenging. A ball goes by you and nine times out of 10 there is nobody behind you to stop that ball, so it is either in the back of the net, over the bar or, if you’re lucky, gone wide.
“Just mentally getting the head right and doing other things to take the mind away from the game does allow you to keep going. You probably do get more out of it than an outfield player because it is not as physical and, thankfully, I have also been lucky with injuries,” she noted.
Cummins states that winning the All-Ireland Minor B title in 2009, her first Connacht title at adult level in 2018, and the Division Three League success in 2022 are proud moments in her intercounty career.
Her desire to usurp all those and represent Roscommon in Croke Park fuels the fire inside her. But she will wait until closer to the end of the year before deciding if she will exit stage left or try to help Roscommon book a spot on the largest stage of them all.
“A few different factors kept pushing me back. The first one would be the love of the game. If you are not enjoying it, then it is hard to give the commitment that it takes. The second one would be the group of girls and the management teams as well. It is very enjoyable when you are going down, working hard, but also having the bit of craic with the girls.
“You do make friends for life. There are girls who I would have played with a few years ago and we would still be in touch to this day, even though we don’t play county together anymore.
“Another reason would be that it would be a dream come through to play in Croke Park, so you are always saying let’s give it one more year and maybe it will be next year that you make the breakthrough,” she concluded.
With Helena Cummins patrolling the last line of defence, the dream remains alive.
