Niamh McPeake voices concern ACL injuries in women's sport
Michael Bolton
Having missed last season's All-Ireland camogie triumph with Galway, Niamh McPeake is more than making up for lost time after her ACL injury.
The Galway forward's goals in the group stage helped the Tribeswomen straight to the semi-finals, helping her win the PwC GPA Player of the Month for June.
McPeake was not on her own in the Galway squad on the treatment table, with Áine Keane also recovering from an ACL.
ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is the ligament in the knee that helps keep the joint stable during twisting, turning and sudden changes of direction. It's an increasingly common injury for elite athletes across all sports.
McPeake is concerned by how common these type of injuries have become in women's sport.
"Over the past few years, it has become scarily common, to be honest, especially among girls.
"When you are playing sport, you are always at risk of being injured. Unfortunately, with your ACL, it is such a long rehab, so it is tough for anyone who does it.
"I was lucky the league was a bit slower. Coming back for Áine, her first games were championship games, and it is definitely a lot tougher that way, because you are right in the thick of it.
"It was class to see the girls get over the line; they worked so hard last year. You are saying to yourself, you would love to be out there and contribute and help the girls out on the field.
"If we can do anything to try to prevent it more in girls, it would be a huge positive to have girls playing sport and keeping girls in sport.
After a disappointing defeat to Cork in the opening round, Galway bounced back with impressive wins over Tipperary and Waterford.
Up next is Kilkenny in the semi-finals, who finished top of the other group and defeated Waterford in the quarter-finals.
McPeake says she is unsure what to make of the new championship structure. She reckons it will take a year or two before everyone can make a judgment call on its format.
"I have enjoyed it, but if you look at our group, Tipperary didn't have to win any games, and they were in a quarter-final; it probably gives you that chance, knowing you have something to fall back on. Then they were unbelievable against Clare at the weekend.
"The more championship games you have, the better. Kilkenny have six now, and are unbeaten in six of them, where we have played three and only won two. They have so much momentum behind the."
