Dedication and discipline: Katrina Mackey's formula for success in sports and science

 

At the end of a long workday, most of us look forward to some downtime to relax and unwind.

 

But not Katrina Mackey.

 

When she leaves the lab at our Cork, Ireland, site, she is just getting started. Katrina heads to the camogie field, where she practices 15 hours a week with her County Cork teammates.

 

With seven All-Ireland titles and eight All Star awards, Katrina's dedication to the sport and her team is unwavering, and she's aiming for even greater heights.

A passion ignited

Camogie is the women's equivalent to men's hurling, Ireland's national sport. Across the country, children pick up hurleys at a young age, including Katrina. Growing up in County Cork, a region with a strong hurling tradition, she developed an early interest in the sport when her parents took her and her twin sister to watch matches.

 

"I remember the excitement of those matches, the roar of the crowd, and the thrill of the game," Katrina recalled.

 

She began playing when she was 6 years old with her local club, Douglas, where boys and girls played in mixed teams. This early exposure, along with her growing awareness of her abilities, sparked her passion for camogie. 

"When I got to a certain age, probably 10 or 11, I kind of knew I had a talent for it. I knew I was good," said Katrina.

The sport instilled in her a strong sense of discipline and the ability to handle both victory and defeat with grace. These lessons have been invaluable in her academic and professional career, where the same qualities are required to succeed.

As she grew older, her dedication to camogie continued to flourish alongside her academic pursuits. She played competitively while studying at University College Cork, facing top players from across Ireland.

This experience was crucial for her development, providing exposure to a higher level of competition and refining her skills. Remarkably, Katrina continued to compete at a high level while pursuing a Ph.D. in organic synthesis.

"Science and chemistry have been an interest of mine since I was young, and I knew that I wanted to study in that field and make a career of it," said Katrina. She found parallels between science and camogie, such as the need for strategic thinking, precision and the ability to work under pressure.

Senior-level success

Driven by her ambition and competitive spirit, Katrina continued to play camogie at a senior level as a key player for the County Cork senior team since 2009, marking an incredible 16 seasons of high-level play. "After playing for my club and my University, I wanted to play for my county at senior level because that is the highest level of camogie competition within Ireland," said Katrina.

 

Throughout the years, she has also been nominated for several individual awards, reflecting her talent and commitment to the sport. "Competing at a senior level for so long is a tremendous honor," Katrina shared, "and it fills me with pride to represent my county and contribute to our team's success." Her twin sister, Pamela, also plays for Cork, making their family a true camogie powerhouse.

Teamwork on the field and in the lab

As a development chemist with Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Pharma Services business, Katrina's role involves meticulous planning, rigorous experimentation, and collaborative problem-solving, skills that are mirrored in her camogie game. She is responsible for developing and optimizing chemical processes crucial for producing high-quality therapies.

 

Her day-to-day responsibilities include designing experiments, analyzing data, and ensuring that the processes are efficient, safe and scalable. This role directly impacts the quality and effectiveness of the drugs that reach patients.

"In camogie, players really need to trust each other to be successful," she says. "That is not unlike working in the lab. We trust each other to make meaningful contributions to the project and our team. Whether at work or on the pitch, I would not be successful all on my own. It really takes a team."

 

To balance her personal and professional passions, Katrina says that organization and preparation are key. "In order to be able to practice as much as I do outside of work, I have to be very organized at home. I have a calendar of where I need to be and when, and I meal prep. It helps me to be more focused both at work and at practice."

 

Just as her colleagues are supportive at work, they also show up to cheer Katrina on during her matches.

 

"They know when I have big matches and how that might be a more stressful time for me, so I am very grateful for their support and understanding. I always appreciate having some familiar faces in the crowd cheering, too!"

Synergy of skills

Katrina is gearing up for a run at her eighth All-Ireland title. "Dedication, preparation, and a supportive community are key to achieving a fulfilling and balanced life," she said.

Katrina says that the skills she has learned on the field have influenced her professional life, and vice versa.

The resilience she builds through handling setbacks in sports helps her manage and recover from challenges in her work.

Additionally, playing camogie serves as a stress reliever, helping her to refocus and maintain a positive mindset. "Both my career and sports complement each other, providing motivation and a sense of accomplishment," she noted.

For Katrina, it's not just about being great at camogie and being a successful chemist; it's about finding that balance between the two, and the happiness that comes from following her passions fully.

She is proof that with dedication, good organization, and a supportive community, following all of your dreams is possible.

What is camogie?

Camogie is a traditional Irish team sport played by women, similar to men's hurling. It involves two teams of 15 players each, including a goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and forwards.

 

Equipment:

  • Hurley (hurl): A wooden stick used to hit the ball.
  • Sliotar: A small, hard ball.
  • Helmet: Players wear helmets with faceguards for safety.

Gameplay:

  • The objective is to score points by hitting the sliotar over the crossbar (1 point) or goals by hitting it into the net under the crossbar (3 points).
  • Players can carry the sliotar on their hurley, hit it on the ground or in the air, and catch it with their hands but must play it within four steps.
  • Tackling is allowed but with limited physical contact.

Basic rules:

  • Players cannot throw the sliotar but can hand-pass it.
  • The sliotar must be lifted from the ground using the hurley.
  • A solo run involves balancing the sliotar on the hurley while running.

Back to top