Last Sunday was a busy and successful one in the sporting life of Maggie Gostl. The 16-year-old was a key player for the Waterford team which sealed progress to the semi-finals of the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor A Camogie Championship with a victory over Tipperary. She was also a member of the Bohemians FC Waterford team which won the Munster U19 Cup final with a win against Holycross.
The game against Tipperary, which threw in at 2pm at The Ragg, was a crucial one for Waterford as the winner was guaranteed a place in the top four of the group stage, and so a spot in Sunday's semi-finals.
During the first half, it appeared that Tipperary would be the side to progress as they raced into an eight-point lead. However, Waterford reeled them in with Maggie Gostl scoring 1-6 of her side's 1-14 as they won by two points.
This week's Electric Ireland Minor Championships Player of the Week goes to Maggie Gostl of @deisecamogie. Gostl inspired a fantastic comeback for Waterford, shooting 1-6 versus Tipperary to book a spot for her county in next week's All-Ireland semi-finals. #ThisIsMajor
— Electric Ireland (@ElectricIreland) April 19, 2023
For Maggie, there was no time for celebration as Bohemians were kicking off against Holycross at 4pm.
"I left literally straight away after the full-time whistle went, had to go straight from The Ragg to Mitchelstown. It was an hour away. I made it for the second half," she said.
By the time she arrived in Mitchelstown, Bohs already held the advantage thanks to Keira Burke's 13th-minute goal. Maggie entered the action as a half-time substitute. "Her experience and impact was to be pivotal" according to a match report on the club's Facebook page.
The Bohemians FC Waterford team with the trophy after victory in the Munster U19 Cup. Picture credit: Bohemians FC Waterford / Facebook
The 1-0 victory sealed a first ever Munster women's title for Bohemians. "Beating two Tipp teams. Brilliant!" said Maggie, who is Bohemians' joint captain along with Keira Burke.
"It was tiring but you do it for the love of the game. I love both sports. You don't really think of that. You think of the end goal of winning. That takes over.
"[Our soccer manager is] very understanding with the camogie. He knows I might have to go to training, but both [managers] are very understanding and supportive, as is the whole club. They just want to best for you."
This Sunday, Maggie will be part of the Waterford team which plays Kilkenny in the minor camogie semi-finals at the Nenagh Éire Óg grounds.
Picture credits: Eddie Dee Photography and Bohemians FC Waterford.
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