Eve’s love for the game started at home in the back garden, and she has been a proud wearer of the Bantry Blues jersey ever since. When she isn’t on the football field, the former Cork All-Ireland minor winner balances her sporting life with her work as a nurse. Growing up in Bantry alongside her parents, two sisters, and brother, Eve’s schedule was always packed. She went to Our Lady of Mercy National School before moving on to Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí, and between school sports and the club, there was rarely a quiet day.
The 25-year-old puts a lot of her development as a player down to the environment she grew up in. She credits the close-knit community in Bantry and the town’s deep-rooted GAA culture for shaping her development as a player. “My earliest memories would be playing in the back garden with my siblings, no matter the weather, or heading down to training with the boys teams in Wolfe Tone Park.” She remains quick to acknowledge the role her hometown played in her success: “I was very lucky to have grown up in such a beautiful place by the sea, with a great sense of community and a brilliant GAA club behind me.”
Her family remains the backbone of her sporting career, having been the ones who first nudged her toward the pitch. “My parents and siblings played a massive role in encouraging me when I was younger, and they’re still my biggest supporters today.” Beyond the support at home, it’s the social aspect of the game that keeps her motivated. “Heading to training isn’t just about the drills, it’s about lifelong friendships and the chance to catch up with the girls every week that I enjoy the most!”
Growing up, Eve did a variety of different sports. “I did athletics, basketball, Irish dancing, hip-hop dancing and swimming over the years but Gaelic football was always my favourite.” That variety paid off, particularly her time on the track, which gave her the pace she is known for today. “I competed in athletics for years and we’d head to the Community Games every summer. There was a good group of us, from the young ages up to minors, who made the trip to Athlone every year.”
Given her background on the track, it’s no surprise that Eve is most at home in the middle of the field. “My most natural position would be either midfield or half forward as I feel most effective when I am able to utilise my running ability and to be a link between my teammates.”
Eve’s path at county level started back in 2014 with the Under 14s, and she worked her way up through the ranks, playing minor by 2018. Her progress didn’t stop there, as she was brought into the Cork senior panel for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Most recently, she was back in the red jersey in 2024, lining out for the senior B team.
“The most memorable game from those years has to be the West Cork Final in 2016. We were Under 16s and we beat Kinsale in Clonakilty. We had years of rivalry with Kinsale at underage level, and it was just a cracker of a game. Being captain made it the best feeling, and we still talk about it in Bantry to this day!”
“The shift from playing for fun to playing with more ambition happened during my teens, right around the time I started playing with the Cork team. It was then I really noticed the step up in the commitment and the drive you need to have. I realised I wanted to be able to hold my own and really compete at that level, and that’s when the focus really changed for me.”
Naturally, it wasn’t always easy. “For me, the biggest challenge moving through the underage ranks was definitely my confidence. Trying to break into the starting team with Cork and often not being chosen to play games sometimes would affect my confidence or impact my performance, but I had to try to block out those thoughts in my head and just suck it up if I wanted to keep going.”
“Eventually, there came a time when I realised I actually could compete at that higher level. I started putting a lot more effort into my training and my overall game and being up against such talented players all the time was so beneficial for me. It really sharpened my play and gave me the belief that I belonged out there on the field with them.”
A typical week of training is a balancing act between the pitch, the gym and professional life. “Normally it’s football training twice a week with a match at the weekend. Then I aim to squeeze in one or two gym sessions or classes in between.”
Alongside the regular training schedule every week, Eve has put a bigger focus on strength work. “Since my early playing days, I’d say I’ve grown a lot stronger and more physical as a player by focusing on the gym as much as the pitch. Strength and conditioning is just as important, especially to avoid injury.
“I tore my ACL in 2021. The recovery was challenging both physically and mentally, and it’s a lonely injury to have. But it taught me resilience and gave me the motivation to get my body even stronger for when I returned to play 13 months later.”
“Now I am focusing on fuelling my body right and making sure I’m well rested. I do meal prep every week so I am organised and I try not to overthink things too much, but I do try to visualise plays on the field before every game.”
There are also the logistical demands that make the jump to county level so different from the club scene. The commitment goes beyond solely the intensity on the pitch, and it’s often the scheduling that proves the toughest part to manage. “A big difference I’ve seen with playing county is the various days, times and locations you have to be available for. It isn’t always straightforward trying to juggle work on top of all the travel and matches.”
Outside of big match days, people often also don’t realise the level of dedication it takes to train week in and week out, no matter the weather, often missing out on social plans along the way. “There have been a few important occasions that have had to be sacrificed for the game.”
From a role model perspective, Eve has always looked up to Emma Spillane. “She won two All-Stars at a very young age, and I always admired her dedication, leadership and speed on the field. She has always been a fantastic player, and it was a pleasure playing alongside her as I got older.”
The 2026 season brings a significant shift to the game with the LGFA (Ladies Gaelic Football Association) trialling twelve new rule enhancements during the National League. Designed to increase the pace and reward long-range skill, the most notable changes include the introduction of a two-point scoring arc for kicks from outside 40 metres and a ‘solo and go’ rule, which allows a fouled player to continue play instantly without waiting for a whistle. Other tactical shifts, such as the requirement to keep three players in the opposition half at all times and a new kick-out mark, aim to reduce massed defences and encourage high catching.
“I’m excited for the new rules to be trialled. They could make the game much faster and more appealing for the supporters to watch. There is still an imbalance with media coverage compared to the men’s game, and I think making the game even more dynamic could encourage more people to come out and support us.”
Despite the challenges, she acknowledges how much progress has been made since she first started. “The game has come a long way for women; there’s a much bigger following now and the media coverage is definitely better than it was. Training facilities and coaching have improved so much too, as well as the focus on how important strength and conditioning is for female players.”
Today, Eve is balancing her football with her career as an Intellectual Disability (ID) nurse, currently living and working in Australia. Even though she’s far from West Cork, the game is never far away, thanks to the massive Irish community over there. A typical day for Eve is busy but balanced: “I’ll work during the day and then head to training or the gym afterwards. Then it’s tea and Netflix in the evening to unwind. “Going out for a coffee or heading off for a walk or a swim is essential for me too!”
“Up until now, I’d say playing football and sport in general has taught me that I’m dedicated and disciplined. It’s given me a good head on my shoulders for handling losses and learning from them. I’m very goal-oriented, and I’d love to be able to do a half-marathon at some point, all while continuing to grow in my role as a nurse.”
