Sisters being named on the Electric Ireland Minor Camogie Championship Team of the Year is a notable achievement. That they are twins makes it even more intriguing.
The fact that neither Emily O'Donoghue - 2023's Player of the Year - nor her sister Caoimhe were even part of the Cork panel last year makes it remarkable.
"We weren't involved last year but it is our second year at minor," says Emily.
"Neither of us were on the team last year. Caoimhe did her cruciate, so she wasn't able to play last year, and I didn't make the team last year."
Emily was Cork's star forward this year, scoring 1-5 as her side defeated Waterford by three points in the final while Caoimhe was named at corner-back on the Team of the Year.
Cork’s Emily Donoghue makes a catch during the 2023 Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor A Camogie Championship final against Waterford. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Evan Treacy
"I was 16, just after the U16 championship when I was playing a match," Caoimhe explains about her injury.
I came back last October just before the trials. It worked out for me in the end. It was a long time to come back,
It was a long rehab but I was fine. I did more stuff than I would have done if I wasn't injured. I got more time to work on my strength.
It was my goal when I was injured, I knew I wanted to get on the minor team. It just makes it extra special that we were able to win.
Cork retained their title after negotiating a new championship format. Six teams competed in a round robin group with the top four advancing to the All-Ireland semi-finals. Cork topped the table with three wins and a draw. Waterford, their opponents in the final, were the only side to get the better of them.
Though Caoimhe and Emily were both in their Leaving Cert year, there was never a discussion about not playing minor camogie.
"Definitely not! Not with us anyway," says Caoimhe.
"There were a few other girls in the team as well that are doing it, and some of them were travelling an hour up to training and back and they all managed it fine as well.
"Some people give up sport before the Leaving Cert but you need a break. It took your mind off it as well. I had to do that or I'd be going mad."
Emily adds that "When you get home, you only have a certain amount of time to get stuff done. It makes you do more as well."
7 May 2023; Caoimhe O'Donoghue of Cork during the Electric Ireland Minor A Camogie All-Ireland Championship Final match between Cork and Waterford at UPMC Nowlan Park in Kilkenny. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
In Cork's two-point All-Ireland semi-final victory over Galway, Caoimhe found herself in the unexpected though not totally unfamiliar position of half-forward.
The Galway player she was designated to mark had made her way into the backline following the throw-in. Cork manager Jerry Wallace told her to "go and bring us back a few scores". She came back with three.
"It happened straight away," says Caoimhe.
"I'm always told to mark the player, so I just went with her. After, I was wondering if I should have gone or not because I haven't played forward in ages.
"I actually really enjoyed the match because it was something different. It was fun. When I was younger, I played forward a bit. It was different to playing as a back but I definitely prefer playing as a back.
"When we were younger, we always used to swap around places. One of us in the backs and one in the forwards. They just realised that I prefer being a back and she prefers being a forward.
"I love being a back. Especially in this competition, you're always marking a really good forward and it's going to be a new challenge. You're looking forward to those little battles, getting a hook or a block gives me such a good buzz. It's the same feeling as when you get a score."
Cork celebrate victory in the 2023 Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor A Camogie Championship Final. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Evan Treacy
The sisters usually playing at opposite ends of the pitch means that they have occasionally had to mark each other in training. It's a situation they prefer to avoid.
Cork twins have senior ambitions
"It never ends well because if one of us gets the better of the other and we go home, they never hear the end of it!" says Emily.
"It has happened the odd few times. We're just way too competitive with each other."
Their minor careers nearly at an end, both now hold aspirations to play at senior level for Cork.
"That's definitely something we'd both want to achieve," says Emily.
"We can't wait for that, trying to get on college teams. That will be a new experience as well, and would really drive us on."
Quiz: Identify The 10 Well-Known Inter-County GAA Players From Their Minor Photo
