Half-time Chats: Caragh Hamilton hoping to go from strength to strength with Glentoran and Northern Ireland
Lauren McCann
Caragh Hamilton had her fair share of ups and downs in 2022. The Euros was a magical experience for her, but in a different way than she will have envisaged, having covered the tournament for the BBC after being ruled out through injury.
Currently working hard in pre-season ahead of the new campaign with Glentoran, Hamilton was recently a guest on The Sporty Scoop where she discussed the previous season with the Glens, punditry, and her aspirations for professionalisation in Northern Ireland.
To listen to the full interview, make sure to check out The Sporty Scoop on Spotify.
How do you assess Glentoran’s season last year - you retained two trophies, but I am sure you were disappointed to surrender the league title?
“Coming into the season holding all three trophies the goal was to retain them, so it is disappointing anytime you have to relinquish a title. The league is the most important in terms of what it brings with Champions League football and we are very ambitious in how we want to progress in that competition.
“We felt we pushed those other teams in our group last year very close and it was really disappointing to go out on penalties the way we did. We see ourselves getting closer every year to making it through qualifying, so to miss out on the Champions League this year coming is disappointing.”
“Ultimately though, with two trophies won you can’t say that is a bad season with all things considered and the challenges we faced throughout the year. We had players out through injury and some moving to other clubs, so personnel changed quite a lot and it took us a while to find our feet. You cannot afford to do that with such few teams and games in the league, there is not an awful lot of room for error and the most consistent team were Clintonville by far. They deserved to win the league.”
You lost two big players in Lauren Wade and Jackie Burns midway through the season - that was a huge blow, but I am sure you were delighted for them?
“They totally earned their moves. Lauren has been such a standout player in the league, so I think we counted ourselves very lucky to have her and we thought we were going to hold on to her a bit longer, but I hope she continues to get chances at Reading.”
“It is the same with Jackie, both of them have a great attitude, are hardworking and great girls off the pitch and deserve the opportunities they are getting. Glentoran have always said they will not stand in players’ way in terms of going across the water. It is hard for players to leave, which is testament to the environment created but we want to see the game grow here to the point where it is harder for girls to move away as we can match the offers they are getting.”
You obviously missed the Euros in the summer with a thigh injury, how difficult was that to take?
Hamilton featured for Glentoran in the Champions League last year.
“It was a real killer. I’m not a stranger to injuries, but it felt like, ‘when am I ever going to get a break?’ I had the disappointment of the year previous with the ACL injury and missing the qualification campaign which was such a huge historic moment, but the Euros has been pushed back a year so I thought I would be able to play. I was fortunate to have another incredible opportunity and these things happen for a reason, hopefully it has opened up some doors for me now.”
How was working with the BBC during the tournament and watching Northern Ireland from afar?
“It was a massive privilege that the BBC wanted a voice from Northern Ireland. I was an unknown and they took quite a risk, but I think I did myself proud and it was eye-opening to see the level of production and how live TV works. I learned an awful lot from Gabby Logan and Ian Wright and developed in a new way. It’s been flattering with the feedback I have received from people in the broadcasting industry.”
“In terms of watching, it was hard, as you just wanted to be part of it but I had a massive sense of pride. I think I threw popcorn everywhere when Julie scored against Norway! Everyone bought into our story, and we were well supported.”
“Ultimately, we would have wanted more from the games, there is no denying that but I think there is a sense that the summer won’t be our last tournament, we didn’t look out of place and we are really knocking on the door.”
“We are only going to go from strength to strength providing the investment is there. We know if we get the right backing, we can only excel. Look at how little resources we have had in the past and what we have achieved.”
You have previously experienced playing abroad in a full time set up in Iceland, what was that experience like and do you harbour ambitions of going across the water again?
“Over there is a totally different world, such a unique place. I loved the people, the country and culture and I got to do a lot of exploring. What really struck me was the equality at all levels of sports there, the investment in men’s and women’s teams.”
“I wouldn’t say no to an opportunity to go back across the water if it came, but a lot of things would need to align, I wouldn’t be someone to jump into it. I do want to be a part of helping the league grow now, I want to be part of the next step and be a voice for change here.”
Lauren McCann is The Scoop’s Sport Editor and an English and Spanish student at Queen’s University Belfast.