MANAGING A TEAM to a Croke Park All-Ireland final is a feat to savour – having your wife on the squad that you’re in charge of creates another special layer.
Stephen Dormer takes Kildare into action for Sunday’s Liberty Insurance intermediate camogie final and his wife Orla is one of the players he will be trusting to deliver glory.
“I suppose she’s the reason I got back involved training Kildare three years ago, under Jim McMullen helping them out,” outlines Dormer.
“I’m here now since so hopefully we’ll get over the line with them. Orla’s only just back in. She broke her finger and missed the All-Ireland semi-final. She should be back for the final now, so big family day.”
Stephen Dormer at the 2013 Camogie Allstars awards Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
A husband-wife link may seem a strange dynamic on the outside but it’s not problematic for those involved.
“I suppose she’s very level-headed and she’s very wise to the game. She trains school teams and she’s a very good trainer herself. She’s well able to take criticism.”
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Any potential difficulties in dropping her from the starting side?
“She does tell me to stop or switch off. It’s great to run things past her and get her ideas. It’s probably inside information to how the girls are feeling in the dressing-room.
“I suppose lass week was a big example. A round of club games and the girls were very, very tired on Sunday morning and she said maybe a night off, go up to the pool. We took a break Wednesday night, instead of training.”
Kildare's Susie O'Carroll in action against Cork last month Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
The pair will both have central roles on Sunday, meaning a babysitter is needed for their son Conor.
“Orla’s mother Phyllis will be minding Conor on All-Ireland final day. She played in Croke Park loads of times with Kildare back in the 80′s when they were very, very strong.
“That’s I suppose where she got the love of her game through her mother.”
Colette Dormer (right) celebrating Kilkenny's 2014 hurling league final win. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Dormer hails from Paulstown in Kilkenny, his sister Colette was part of their senior camogie side that fell short against Cork in last month’s semi-final.
Last Sunday the Kildare boss was cheering on as his native county swept to All-Ireland glory once more but his focus is firmly on his adopted county since that game.
“It’s been a massive five years, massive work went in to the county. We lost an All-Ireland semi-final last year.
Kildare players celebrating their semi-final win over Cork Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
“Louise Keatley was away travelling, Angela Lyons was away with the Army. Noelle Early, an absolutely brilliant camogie player, was coming back into the country from Australia.
“So we went after them from the start and added to the panel from the off. Orla was missing last year due to having a baby. The four of them strengthened the panel.
“They’re getting their just rewards. We set our goal at the start of the year to get back to Croke Park. The joy and excitement after beating Cork in an All-Ireland semi-final to get back here again was unbelievable.”
The husband and wife hoping to claim All-Ireland glory in Croke Park on Sunday
MANAGING A TEAM to a Croke Park All-Ireland final is a feat to savour – having your wife on the squad that you’re in charge of creates another special layer.
Stephen Dormer takes Kildare into action for Sunday’s Liberty Insurance intermediate camogie final and his wife Orla is one of the players he will be trusting to deliver glory.
“I suppose she’s the reason I got back involved training Kildare three years ago, under Jim McMullen helping them out,” outlines Dormer.
“I’m here now since so hopefully we’ll get over the line with them. Orla’s only just back in. She broke her finger and missed the All-Ireland semi-final. She should be back for the final now, so big family day.”
A husband-wife link may seem a strange dynamic on the outside but it’s not problematic for those involved.
“I suppose she’s very level-headed and she’s very wise to the game. She trains school teams and she’s a very good trainer herself. She’s well able to take criticism.”
Any potential difficulties in dropping her from the starting side?
“I’d blame the selectors!” laughs Dormer.
“She does tell me to stop or switch off. It’s great to run things past her and get her ideas. It’s probably inside information to how the girls are feeling in the dressing-room.
“I suppose lass week was a big example. A round of club games and the girls were very, very tired on Sunday morning and she said maybe a night off, go up to the pool. We took a break Wednesday night, instead of training.”
The pair will both have central roles on Sunday, meaning a babysitter is needed for their son Conor.
“Orla’s mother Phyllis will be minding Conor on All-Ireland final day. She played in Croke Park loads of times with Kildare back in the 80′s when they were very, very strong.
“That’s I suppose where she got the love of her game through her mother.”
Dormer hails from Paulstown in Kilkenny, his sister Colette was part of their senior camogie side that fell short against Cork in last month’s semi-final.
Last Sunday the Kildare boss was cheering on as his native county swept to All-Ireland glory once more but his focus is firmly on his adopted county since that game.
“It’s been a massive five years, massive work went in to the county. We lost an All-Ireland semi-final last year.
“Louise Keatley was away travelling, Angela Lyons was away with the Army. Noelle Early, an absolutely brilliant camogie player, was coming back into the country from Australia.
“So we went after them from the start and added to the panel from the off. Orla was missing last year due to having a baby. The four of them strengthened the panel.
“They’re getting their just rewards. We set our goal at the start of the year to get back to Croke Park. The joy and excitement after beating Cork in an All-Ireland semi-final to get back here again was unbelievable.”
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