It's not every day that a sports player gets noticed sitting out a game but for Wexford camog Katrina Parrock being sidelined has led to her becoming the most talked about name in GAA. Marie Louise McCrory reports A 22-YEAR-OLD student from Wexford has become an overnight poster girl for camogie after making an impromptu appearance on the pitch during her team's clash against Kilkenny at Nowlan Park earlier this month.
Katrina Parrock, a three-time All-Ireland winner, had been forced to sit out the game after breaking her arm.
However, when the blonde-haired player jogged on to the pitch dressed in denim shorts and a vest top to bring water to a team-mate, her good looks caught the attention of the cameras and she found herself winning admirers.
Like champion athlete Jessica Ennis - who became the poster girl of the 2012 London Olympics winning a legion of male fans - the images of Katrina have led to her becoming an internet sensation.
The flurry of interest in the talented camogie player has also prompted GAA fans to call for her to become the new face of camogie to promote the sport.
Katrina's mother, Liz has even spoken out telling the Camogie Association in Ireland that they have a "great marketing tool at their hands".
She said her daughter is known for her "skill and prowess on the field foremost but that doesn't mean she can't also be looked upon as pleasant looking".
"Some people might say it's not the right attention but if it promotes camogie in a positive light, it is OK by me," she said.
Katrina, a sports management student, has also addressed the issue and has not ruled out becoming an ambassador for the sport.
"As long as an ad campaign would be in keeping with the culture and ethics of our game I see no reason why any player would have a problem," she said.
"It's not something I've ever thought about to be honest.
"I'd love to see camogie at the same level as hurling with games shown every weekend."
Last night, senior Ulster camogie representatives echoed calls for Katrina's growing popularity to be used to promote the sport.
Catherine O'Hara, a former vice-president of the National Camogie Association, and current manager of the Antrim minor and U16 Camogie teams, said the association needed to "pick up the PR ball and run with it".
"They should take advantage of what has been handed to them on a plate," she said.
"I think she can be an athlete and an ambassador for her sport. If there are companies who are suddenly taking a second look, then that's a job well done.
"The Camogie Association needs to literally pick up the PR ball and run with it."
? FOCUS: Above, Wexford camogie player Katrina Parrock has attracted admirers after the TV cameras spotted her jogging on to the pitch to bring water to a team-mate earlier this month. Ms Parrock had been sitting out the game against Kilkenny due to a broken arm. The attention has been compared to what happened with Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis, above right, last summer
? ICON: Former soccer star David Beckham attracts fans of his looks