In this instalment of our Women in Sport series, we hear from Hannah Looney on her sporting inspirations, biggest goals, and how she minds her mental health.
Hannah Looney is a Gaelic and camogie player who was called up to the Cork Senior Camogie team back in 2014 at the age of 17 and has been pursuing a Dual Inter County Career since. Highlights of Hannah’s sporting career include five Senior Camogie All Ireland Medals, four All Star Camogie Awards and one Senior Football All-Ireland in 2016, and a Football All-Star in 2021.
Having studied Process & Chemical Engineering at UCC, Hannah now works as a Senior Chemical Engineer with MSD and has recently been selected as one of SuperValu’s GAA ‘Community Includes Everyone’ ambassadors representing ladies and the LGBTQ+ community.
The campaign now in its fourth year continues to drive positive change through allyship and using its sponsorship of the GAA All Ireland Senior Football Championship as a platform to drive more inclusive and diverse communities.
Here, she shares her sporting story so far…
Name: Hannah Looney
Profession: Senior Chemical Engineer
Earliest sporting memory?
Being brought down to Aghada GAA Club by my father Ger, when I was 4 years old, to play football with the boys. Despite my mother Teresa still aspiring for me to become a ballerina! I also have fond sporting memories of supporting the Cork football team especially when Conor Counihan from Aghada was the manager!
How did you become involved in your sport?
Aghada GAA is a big part of my family, so I didn’t have much of a choice! I was thrown straight into football and hurling with the boys when I was 4 or 5. I played with them until I was 12.
What message would you like to share with young women and girls interested in pursuing a career as an athlete?
As the SuperValu’s GAA ‘Community Includes Everyone’ mantra says, don’t be afraid to be who you are and bring your true self to the game. With no inhibitions, you can focus on being the best at your game regardless of what that game is. The skills, friends and connections you make through sport will benefit you in all walks of life and most importantly we all need to support each other regardless of our differences.
Proudest moment so far…
I have had huge highs and lows throughout my sporting career. However, the most recent All-Ireland Camogie triumph in 2023 is my proudest moment. To finally get over the line with an amazing resilient group of girls was a special feeling and of course, rowing the O’ Duffy cup down the Lee was the best craic!
The female athlete I admire most is…
Ciara Mageen because she is a phenomenal Irish Athlete. Her hard work and resilience shine through in everything she does. To see her win Gold in the Recent European Championships was very cool. “I didn’t grow up playing camogie to be boxed in”. To see all the female athletes thriving in the European Championships was bloody brilliant. Rhasidat Adeleke is simply fire! Paris 2024 is very exciting! Shoutout to my Ciara Mageen Fan Club: Emma Duggan and Niamh Cotter!
Favourite sporting memory…
I have been fortunate enough to climb the steps of the Hogan Stand a few times which is such an honour. However, the 2023 win has been my favourite.
Do you think there is still a stigma around women in sport?
Yes, 100%. There has been progress over recent years but women in sport are still treated as second-class citizens in many fields. It can be very frustrating.
What is the biggest barrier to driving visibility in women’s sports?
There is not enough media coverage of the women’s game, it can often be minimal in comparison to the men’s. Attendance at the women’s game can leave a lot to be desired. At times, are we our own worst enemy? I would challenge female sports fans who only attend men’s sports events, what is stopping you from supporting women too?
SuperValu is a phenomenal sponsor of women in sport. Their campaign ‘Community Includes Everyone’ embodies all the good things about sport and when nurtured correctly how it can be an inclusive place for all. They have been a super sponsor to the Cork Ladies Football team for many years. I would encourage other corporations to strongly consider sponsoring women’s teams and sports.
Finally, I believe male athletes can be better allies for women in sport. We all know the influence Andy Murray has had on tennis for supporting and speaking out about the women’s game. Conor Meyler is an exceptional ally for football and camogie and driving the need for integration of the GAA, Camogie Association and LGFA, but we need more. Furthermore, it is great to see the progress on integration but I believe it can and needs to be achieved faster than the current timelines.
The biggest stigma/misconception that exists in women’s sport is…
Women’s sport isn’t as entertaining as men’s.
If I wasn’t an athlete I would be…
Working on conservation projects. Maybe in Peru, saving the Humboldt penguins!
My favourite pre-game meal is…
Eggs and toast, chicken stir-fry or pasta. Nothing too special! I love a Squares bar an hour before the game too.
My pre-game playlist includes…
Whatever I am feeling at the moment and currently that is Fletcher, Maggie Rogers and of course Taylor Swift. Yes, I went to the Eras tour!
My daily routine is…
Work, train, giggle and chat with my girlfriend Aoibhin.
My biggest sporting goal is…
To win All-Irelands with my county and County Championships with my club.
Sports brands I love (Irish or otherwise)…
Queen B! You should check out @queenbathlthetics on Instagram – Bríd is the best and the quality is amazing.
Biggest splurge to celebrate a win…
A well-earned pint of Beamish!
How do you mind your mental health?
I have fallen in love with the sea and sauna trips lately. It is my go-to therapy for my mental health. I am fortunate to live by two beautiful saunas. Mike McCarthy of Cedar and Steam Sauna provides a real authentic experience. The Sweaty Sauna Sanctuary at Inch, East Cork is another fabulous experience. Michelle O’Connor is our sports psychologist (A.K.A Mental Health Surgeon by Ashling Thompson) with Cork Camogie and we are fortunate to have her involved. She really helps to keep my mental health in check!
My three desert island beauty products are:
Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum, Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Primer and Trilogy Night Cream.
I need around 8 hours of sleep a night because…
My WHOOP barks at me and tells me how much sleep I need. I always trying to be in the green for peak performance.
Confidence, to me, is…
Smiling, expressing myself and being in the flow state.
How do you get over a bad performance?
When playing dual I rarely have time to ponder and need to switch sports and focus on the next challenge. I usually meet with Michelle to debrief and reset.
Lastly, why is sport such an integral part of the community, on a club, local, national and personal level?
Sport brings people together and ignites a special passion. Irish sports fans are up there with the best in the world. It is a privilege to represent my club and county in both football and camogie.
Also Read
