‘‘Don’t give up ‘til it’s over’’ - from grassroots to the grand stage in Croke Park
All-Ireland stars look back at the moments that shaped their game
The journey toward visibility in women’s sport has been long, but in recent years, that visibility has grown rapidly, with Ladies GAA playing a leading role.
More players are stepping into the spotlight, more fans are attending, and more young girls can now envision a future in the sport.
Every athlete’s journey to the senior level begins at the grassroots level. For Valerie Mulcahy and Katie Quirke, that future began in Cork.
The two Gaelic footballers, now Solgar ambassadors, reflect on their journeys from junior to senior level.
When asked about a golden moment that stands out to Katie, one of the most powerful moments came during her final year playing in the minor league.
After a few years of losing the Minor All-Ireland finals, Cork finally secured the victory.
“We lost three or four underage, so to be in my final year minor and we finally won, it was really special,” Katie said.
Being part of a close-knit team with good management, the win was a well-deserved “cherry on top” for Katie.
Valerie’s golden moment came in the 2014 All-Ireland Senior Final.
Cork were 10 points down against Dublin and on the brink of a crushing defeat.
“It was like going from feeling like we had a chance at halftime, even though we were down, to them scoring another goal. I looked up and thought, 'Is this how we’re actually going to end our reign in this dramatic 10-point defeat?'”.
What followed was a brilliant display of determination, which saw Cork make a thrilling comeback to secure the title.
With six All-Stars and 10 All-Ireland titles, Valerie’s career is a testament to her strong leadership and mental strength, attributes as critical as physical fitness in any elite sport.
As much as athletes need physical preparation, mental preparation is also crucial, as it can make the difference between victory and defeat.
“We always had that fighting us to go to the very end. One of our mottos we’d sing was, ‘don’t give up ‘til it’s over’. And we really just kept going.”
Valerie’s golden moment is also one Katie remembers not from the pitch but from the stands.
As a 13-year-old watching Cork’s comeback in the All-Ireland final, it was a formative moment. A few years later, she’d walk out onto Croke Park herself, now part of the senior team.
The leap from junior to senior level is both an exciting and demanding switch for any athlete. Katie recalls the changes that came when switching from the minor to senior level.
“It was really kind of surreal stepping onto the senior panel,” said Katie. "Being lined out with players that have won All-Irelands, and you know, huge names and All-Stars and all that. It was really special.”
“I think that kind of added an element to the jersey as well. There’s still the pride there from underage, but it is a little bit different when it’s bigger competitions and more at stake, and you see what it means for older players as well who’ve been around for more years than you have.”
That step up brings new expectations but also new support. Valerie notes the additional support that players received, from personalised strength and conditioning plans to professional nutritional advice.
After struggling with a knee injury in early 2024, which saw her sidelined for much of the season, Katie knows all too well the importance of prioritising health and fitness to return to the pitch.
“I think it is really important to look after yourself and making sure you’re fuelled and recovered. Especially as women as well, the food that you’re putting in is so important, but it’s also important to back that up with supplementation.
We’re so lucky that we do have that support with us, because it is so important for us.”
Part of the support Katie and Val receive is from Solgar, a globally recognised vitamins and supplements brand with a 75-year legacy.
Solgar is now the official vitamin partner of the GAA/GPA, helping ensure that athletes thrive on and off the pitch, and providing them, along with other GAA stars, with the fuel needed to "not give up ‘til it's over".
Solgar is the official vitamin partner of the GAA/GPA and title sponsor of the GAA Museum.
With a legacy stretching over 75 years, Solgar is a globally recognised vitamins and supplements brand. Known as the 'Gold Standard' in nutritional supplements, Solgar combines scientific research with the highest quality standards in its products.
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