Month: September 2021

Kerry 0-11
Limerick 0-8

BIRTHDAY GIRL PATRICE Diggin scored five points and won player of the match honours, while Sara Murphy backed up a powerful defensive effort with a massive score of her own as Kerry, a county with only one adult club, secured a historic Liberty Insurance All-Ireland junior camogie championship title at Croke Park.

Kerry celebrate their All-Ireland success.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Last year’s beaten finalists are made up entirely of Clanmaurice players with one exception, though Bríd Horan’s Cill Ard operate at underage level.

Kerry were defensively resolute and though they racked up a slew of wides in the closing 10 minutes and finished with an eye-wincing 14, were actually quite economical up front in the first half especially to gain a foothold in proceedings.

Limerick exerted early dominance in the middle and created a number of early chances for scores but were denied by some tremendous defensive work, as Elaine Ryall blocked Michelle Curtin’s hand-pass intended for the unattended Ella Whelan in the second minute to prevent a goal, and less than 60 seconds later, Murphy hooked Whelan as the Newcastle West ace shot for a point.

In contrast, Kerry found the target from their first attack courtesy of teenager Brid Horan in the fifth minute.

Rebecca Noonan excelled for Limerick from placed balls and she levelled from a difficult free tight to the Cusack Stand side and outside the 45.

Diggin and Noelle Curtin exchanged scores once more, the latter finishing well after doing wonderfully to emerge from a ruck with possession.

Kerry began to exert themselves at this juncture, however, and they hit the next four points via Julianne O’Keeffe, Diggin from play and a free and point from Jackie Horgan.

Limerick showed a lot of grit to ensure that they were just a point down at the break, frees from Noonan either side of a smart finish by Whelan making it 0-6 to 0-5.

Patrice Diggin starred for Kerry.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Ian Brick had Kerry fired up for the restart however and he would have been delighted that the two subs he introduced at the interval, Ann Marie Leen and Clodagh Walsh, combined for the latter to score within 31 seconds.

A cultured strike by Rachel McCarthy followed and though Noonan maintained her 100% record from placed balls to this juncture, an inspirational score from 60m by Murphy, followed by another converted Diggin free, put four between the once more at the three-quarter mark.

The neighbours wouldn’t be shaken off, however, and substitute Shauna D’arcy followed another Noonan free to halve the deficit once more and though Kerry generally, and Diggin in particular, were more wasteful than they would like to have been, the midfield general did find the target from one free, and the backs never looked like giving up a goal chance, ensuring history for the Kingdom.

Scorers for Kerry: P Diggin 0-5(4fs); B Horan, J Horgan, J O’Keeffe, R McCarthy, S Murphy, C Walsh 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: R Noonan 0-5(fs); N Curtin, E Whelan, S Darcy 0-1 each.

KERRY: A Fitzgerald, E Ryall, L Houlihan, A O’Connor, N Leen, S Murphy, M Costello, P Diggin, L Collins, J Fitzell, J Horgan, R McCarthy, B Horan, J O’Keeffe, O Dineen. Subs: A M Leen for Fitzell (ht), C Walsh for Horan (ht), A Maunsell for O’Keeffe (48).

LIMERICK: L O’Carroll, K Herbert, Y Lee, E Butler, S Shanahan, A Coughlan, S McElligott, O Kelleher, A Kennedy, R Noonan, G M O’Kelly, N Curtin, M Curtin, G Lee, E Whelan. Subs: L Browne for Kelleher (35), S D’arcy for O’Kelly (44), C Brennan for Lee (45), K Carroll for N Curtin (55).

Referee: Gavin Donegan (Dublin).

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Westmeath 1-11
Galway 1-9

AN INCREDIBLE SECOND-HALF comeback which epitomises their meteoric rise through the ranks, Westmeath were crowned All-Ireland intermediate champions at Croke Park this afternoon just two years after winning their first-ever camogie title.

Premier Junior champions in 2017, Johnny Greville’s side now progress to the senior ranks after a two-point win over Galway.

They looked to be dead and buried at half-time with Galway seven points up and thriving, but some Pamela Greville scoring heroics, a goal from captain Mairéad McCormack and a massive effort all over saw them keep the Tribe scoreless until their injury time free at the death. 

Greville accounted for 0-9, while Megan Dowdall was named Player of the Match and McCormack’s well-taken goal definitely sent Westmeath on their way.

A game of two halves for sure, Galway controlled proceedings in the first half.

There was drama from the get-go, as they were awarded a penalty with less than a minute on the clock. Full-back Meadbh Scally cleared Molly Mannion’s effort off the line, however, and Westmeath went on to post the opening two points. 

The second of those broughtfurther early excitement, Galway goalkeeper Laura Glynn originally catching Pamela Greville’s effort over the crossbar but it was awarded after going to HawkEye.

That third-minute score would be the Lake county’s last until Greville again split the posts in the 26th minute.

In the interim, the Tribe took off with Tara Rutledge opening their account and adding two more later on in the half, while Rachel Monaghan chipped in with three herself (two frees). 

And n the 19th minute, Ardrahan star Ava Lynskey rattled the net at the Canal End after good work from Mairéad Dolan in the build-up.

Galway lead Westmeath by 7 at half-time in the All-Ireland Intermediate final – Ava Lynskey finished her goal well – watch the second-half on RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/4ZDdSKV1Im

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) September 8, 2019

She also fired the last point of the half, while Greville got one beforehand making it 1-8 to 0-4 at the break.

Seven points down, Westmeath showed true character and grit to fight back and dominate in the second period.

Greville was absolutely immense throughout, both from open play and from placed ball, with Sheila McGrath also getting her name on the scoresheet but it was McCormack’s 40th-minute goal which ultimately made the difference, bringing Westmeath back to within a point.

Excellently fielding a high ball in, she eventually broke down the Galway defence’s pressure to fire home. McGrath tied matters straight after and Greville pointed the way to victory.

The Westmeath fightback is on – Mairead McCormack's goal has brought this contest between the midlanders and Galway alive – watch now on RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/tjKX9xLmTH

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) September 8, 2019

Niamh Horan’s late free at the other end was too little, too late for Cathal Murray’s Galway. It’s now over to their seniors, who face Kilkenny next.

Scorers for Galway: Rachel Monaghan (0-3, 2f), Ava Lynskey (1-1), Tara Rutledge (0-3), Karen Kennedy (0-1).

Scores for Westmeath: Pamela Greville (0-9, 4f, 1 ’45), Mairéad McCormack (1-0), Sheila McGrath and Niamh (0-1 each).

Galway

1. Laura Glynn (Sarsfileds)

2. Ciara Donoghue (Mullagh)
3. Laura Ward (Turloughmore) – captain
4. Louise Brennan (Turloughmore)

5. Kate Screene (Skehana Menlough)
6. Lorraine Coen (St Thomas)
7. Dervla Higgins (Athenry)

8. Lisa Casserly (Ballinadreen)
9. Molly Mannion (Mountbellew)

10. Karen Kennedy (Mullagh)
11. Ava Lynskey (Ardrahan)
12. Rachel Monaghan (Mullagh)

13. Elisha Broderick (Castlegar)
14. Mairéad Dillon (Kilconieron)
15. Tara Rutledge (Portumna)

Subs

18. Rachael Hanniffy (Oranmore) for Elisha Broderick (46)
19. Niamh Horan (Killimor) for Louise Brennan (47)
20. Catriona Lee (Castlegar) for Louise Brennan (55)

Westmeath

1. Fiona Keating (Cullion)

2. Aoife O’Malley (Raharney)
3. Meadbh Scally (Clonkill)
4. Laura Doherty (Raharney)

5. Amy Cully (St Brigids)
6. Fiona Leavy (Raharney)
7. Sandra McGrath (St Munnas)

8. Muireann Scally (Crookedwood)
9. Niamh Horan (Delvin)

10. Mairéad McCormack (Castletown Geoghegan)
11. Shiela McGrath (St Munnas)
12. Megan Dowdall (Clonkill)

13. Michelle Murtafg (Lough Lene Gaels)
14. Pamela Greville (Raharney)
15. Caoimhe McCrossan)

Subs

18. Aoife Doherty (Raharney) for Niamh Horan (36)

Referee: Andrew Larkin (Cork).

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Galway 3-14
Kilkenny 0-17

Player of the Match Niamh Kilkenny was immense for Galway.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

A FIRST ALL-IRELAND title since 2013 for Galway, and a third consecutive September decider defeat at Croke Park for Kilkenny as the Tribeswomen lifted the O’Duffy Cup in front of a record-breaking crowd of 24,730.

As the old cliché goes, goals win games, and a first-half double from Ailish O’Reilly, another from Niamh Hanniffy, along with a stunning performance and 0-4 tally from Niamh Kilkenny broke Ann Downey’s Cats’ hearts once again.

Carrie Dolan was also superb from placed ball as Cathal Murray’s league champions were six-point winners, and were crowned champions for the third time, after an enthralling game of free-flowing hurling.

It was a scintillating, open first half, and one which Galway went in six points the better as the middle whistle sounded.

Kilkenny were the first on the scoreboard, however, Michelle Quilty with her first of an eight-point total. The clock had just turned one minute as Galway struck back at the other end, the excellent Niamh Kilkenny and O’Reilly combining for their first goal of the day.

Kilkenny, Noreen Coen and Carrie Dolan (free) tagged on three points as Quilty, Denise Gaule and Davina Tobin kept the scoreboard ticking for the Cats. By 11 minutes, the sides were level for the first time, and things turned tit-for-tat.

Quilty and Sarah Spellman, and Gaule and Dolan exchanged points, and Kilkenny showed their class when they got the chance, but Galway’s eye for goal had them on the front foot once again soon after.

Player of the Match Niamh Kilkenny was immense for Galway.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

After Catherine Finnerty — a late replacement for Tara Kenny, who suffered a cruciate injury in training — pointed, Hannify rattled the net to put Galway into a two-point lead in the 23rd minute.

And two minutes later, O’Reilly raised her second green flag of the day to the joy of the massive Galway support at HQ. They certainly could have had another soon after, only for the work of Kilkenny goalkeeper Emma Kavanagh and full-back Catherine Foley.

A Dolan ’45 made it 3-7 to 0-10 at the break.

On the restart, the Clarinbridge attacker opened proceedings, and accounted for the majority of her side’s scores.

But Kilkenny came out all guns blazing; substitute Aoife Doyle, Miriam Walsh, co-captain Anna Farrell and Anne Dalton (two) all stepping up with superb scores as the Leinster county looked to forge a comeback.

But Dolan and Kilkenny continued to inspire Galway, who had the groundwork done in a brilliant first half. In the 50th minute, it was 3-10 to 0-17 — the closest Kilkenny got after the break — but the Tribe finished strong after surviving the Cats’ purple patch.

Dolan and Kilkenny added two as the clock ran down, before goalkeeper Sarah Healy came up to split the posts with a monster long-range free in the 61st minute.

And Kilkenny fittingly put the icing on the cake with another just before the whistle, and it finished 3-14 to 0-17 as Galway completed the 2019 national double.

Niamh Hanniffy celebrates a goal.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

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Scorers for Galway: Ailish O’Reilly (2-0), Niamh Hanniffy (1-0) Niamh Kilkenny (0-4), Noreen Coen (0-1), Carrie Dolan (0-6, 5f, 1 ’45), Sarah Spellman (0-1), Catherine Finnerty (0-1), Sarah Healy (0-1)

Scorers for Kilkenny: Michelle Quilty (0-8, 7f), Denise Gaule (0-3, 1f), Davina Tobin (0-1), Aoife Doyle (0-1), Miriam Walsh (0-1), Anna Farrell (0-1), Anne Dalton (0-2, 1f)

Galway

1. Sarah Healy (St Thomas)

2. Shauna Healy (Ardrahan)
3. Sarah Dervan (Mullagh) – captain
4. Heather Cooney (St Thomas)

18. Catherine Finnerty (Mountbellew/Moylough)
6. Emma Helebert (Ballindreen)
7. Lorraine Ryan (Kiltullagh/Killimoredaly)

8. Aoife Donohue (Mullagh)
9. Niamh Kilkenny (Pearses)

10. Carrie Dolan (Clarinbridge)
11. Catriona Cormican (Cappataggle)
12. Sarah Spellman (Sarsfields)

13. Noreen Coen (Athenry)
14. Niamh Hannify (Oranmore/Maree)
15. Ailish O’Reilly (Oranmore/Maree)

Subs

17. Anne Marie Starr (Killimor) for Noreen Coen (41)
20. Rebecca Hennelly for Sarah Spellman (49)

Kilkenny

1. Emma Kavanagh (Rower Inistioge)

2. Collette Dormer (Barrow Rangers)
3. Catherine Foley (Windgap)
4. Edwina Keane (St Martins)

5. Kellyann Doyle (Piltown)
6. Claire Phelan (Lisdowney)
7. Grace Walsh (Tullaroan)

8. Meighan Farrell (Thomastown) – joint-captain
9. Davina Tobin (Emeralds)

10. Anna Farrell (Thomastown) – joint-captain
11. Katie Power (Piltown)
12. Anne Dalton (St Lachtains)

13. Michelle Quilty (Mullinavat)
14. Miriam Walsh (Tullaroan)
15. Denise Gaule (Windgap)

Subs

19. Aoife Doyle (Piltown) for Edwina Keane (27)
17. Danielle Morrissey (Conahy) for Aoife Doyle (55)

Referee: Ray Kelly (Kildare).

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– Emma Duffy reports from Croke Park

IT MUST BE pretty difficult to sum up the feeling of winning an All-Ireland title.

Victorious Galway manager Cathal Murray.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

After his side produced an incredible display to get their hands on the O’Duffy Cup for the first time since 2013, Cathal Murray, like many others, found it tough to find the words.

But his immense pride in his side shone through with every sentence deep in the bowels of Croke Park after the Tribeswomen recorded a six-point victory over 2016 champions, and 2017, 2018 and now 2019 beaten finalists, Kilkenny.

“It is hard to put it into words,” Murray told the media in the press conference centre, deep in the bowels of Croke Park after the fierce battle which a record-breaking crowd of 24,730 watched in the flesh.

“Delighted for the girls, first and foremost, not just this year, but for the last few years. We knew coming up that if we got a performance we’d have a really, really good chance of winning it. Thank God, we got the performance.

“The work rate was exceptional, the intensity was huge. We took our chances and that was the difference.”

Murray, who now becomes just the second All-Ireland winning Galway senior camogie manager after Tony Ward in 1996 and 2013, added:

“Today is huge for Galway camogie. This is only our third. We don’t win too many. It was what the girls brought to it, their intensity, work-rate, they played as a team.

“They have a huge affinity with the fans now. We passed out so many supporters’ buses coming out today. It is great to get the following.”

In the build-up to today’s showdown, the Galway players have spoken over and over about the belief and confidence the management team instilled in the group this year, and Murray pinpoints winning league games against the top teams after a big pre-season set as the catalyst for all of that.

“Victories breed confidence and confidence breeds belief,” he smiled. “The girls have huge belief. We, the management, have had huge belief in the players since we came in.

“We always felt we had a team in the dressing room that was good enough to win an All-Ireland. Look it, they showed today they are capable of that.”

The winning Galway team.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Three first-half goals, courtesy of Ailish O’Reilly (two) and Niamh Hanniffy, into the Hill End were ultimately the difference, and Murray appreciates just how important they were.

Galway laid a solid foundation, and had much of the groundwork done with a six-point half-time lead.

“We didn’t score goals against Cork [in the semi-final] so to get three today was very, very pleasing,” he continued. “The first goal was huge for us because it was the first time this year that we actually got a good start and we’ve been leading after the first few minutes.

“That was important because Kilkenny, obviously, were here for the last two. We needed to get a good start and we got that, thank God.

“Look, we had a couple of other chances and didn’t take them. There was good defending too to keep them out. But to get the goals before half-time was a real tonic. To go in a few points up at half-time was brilliant.”

Murray, who also managed the beaten intermediate team at HQ today, had huge praise for ‘exceptional’ Player of the Match, Niamh Kilkenny, and for his excellent set of defenders, but also for how his side reacted to the loss of key back Tara Kenny.

Kenny tore her cruciate in training, so half-forward Caitriona Cormican dropped back and excelled in marking Kilkenny big gun Anne Dalton, while Catherine Finnerty started.

“Very, very happy with how that went,” he said of the big move he was forced into. “Teeny did an unbelievable job. She can play anywhere for us. She had a huge effect on the game.

“It was a big choice to make as it was always going to pull a bit from the forwards. Catherine Finnerty came in and had an immense game. Her work rate was absolutely exceptional. 

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“Listen, it was tough on Tara Kenny. To do your cruciate nine days before an All-Ireland final is heartbreaking. It happened during last 15-a-side game before the All-Ireland, the first ball that went into her.”

Catherine Finnerty facing Grace Walsh.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Six points ahead at half time, Murray says he didn’t refer to what unfolded in second half of the intermediate final in the dressing room. There, his side were seven points up against Westmeath but Johnny Greville’s charges produced an immense comeback to win by two.

“I didn’t mention it,” he explained. “The girls did, though. You learn lessons from every game. Unfortunately, it was tough for the intermediates in the second-half of their game.

“But it was mentioned in the senior dressing-room that we couldn’t let the same thing happen and we had to start well in the second-half. And we did, in fairness.”

And for himself, what was it like to switch his focus straight after that intermediate loss before the senior throw-in?

“It was hard, alright, but you have to put that aside,” he concedes. “I tried to talk to as many of the intermediate girls on the field before I left.

“Listen, when you go into the senior dressing room, it was game face on. They were in the middle of the warm-up when I got in, the rest of the backroom team were in charge of the seniors and getting them ready.

“The girls, themselves, they’ve gone through a bit over the last few years. They haven’t been in a final since 2015. They were very focused today. It didn’t matter who was in the dressing-room with them today.

“They were really focused on getting a good start and getting a performance.”

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– Emma Duffy reports from Croke Park

‘DÉJA VU,’ KILKENNY boss Ann Downey says after another crushing All-Ireland senior camogie final defeat, settling into her seat to face the media.

They’ve reached six deciders in this decade, and lost five of them. Since Downey took the reins in 2016 and steered them to All-Ireland glory ending a 22-year wait for the O’Duffy Cup in doing so, they’ve fallen short in 2017 and 2018 by a single point to Cork.

Today, goal-hungry Galway were six-point winners. Downey, a multi-All-Ireland winner as a player herself, accepted that the Tribeswomen were the better team. 

Her side maybe could have done better, but Cathal Murray’s side won fair and square.

“The three goals really killed us,” she frowned, “and they all came from their puckouts that was landing on our centre-back.

They won the breaking ball and from that their centre-field was doing the overlap. We just didn’t contain it. In fairness, Galway hunted in packs today and we didn’t. It’s all about the day, and we didn’t perform on the day.

“At half-time we knew there was more in them. We made some positional changes, moved Claire Phelan back to full-back and moved Meighan [Farrell] back and that helped the situation.

“We got within two points of them but never closer. They were never going to leave us in for a goal, it was impossible, they swarmed us and they were hungrier than us.

Katie Power dejected after today’s loss.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

“I’ve no idea why. Maybe it was that they haven’t been here for so long and we were here the last few years. Maybe our players were so afraid of losing, they weren’t able to express themselves. We’ve lost so many All-Irelands here, maybe that fear just held our girls back. I know they’ll be disappointed with their performances.”

Lisdowney club woman Downey admitted that with new opposition and a new challenge, her side were hoping things would go better. 

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“We came up with great hope,” she said. “We knew we’d have to battle hard and go toe-to-toe with Galway and we just weren’t able to do that today.

Some of our younger girls played with freedom but maybe the end of the line is nearer for some of our older players from last year and that holds you back. But I couldn’t ask any more of any of them, they’re trained so hard and given such commitment.

What about rallying to go again?

Very hard, she responds. Plain and simple.

Ann Downey congratulates Cathal Murray.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

“They’ve been here so many times and come back and come back but it’ll be a long winter and we’ll reassess after it, sit down and see what everyone wants to do. They’ll go back to their clubs and we’ll be there for them and support them to try and get over today.”

Humble in victory, gracious in defeat, Downey was full of praise for Galway.

“They’re a super team, they haven’t been here for a long time and that hunger,” she conceded. “They defended really well, hunted in packs. Galway had done their homework and stopped our overlap. It all goes down to the will to win and the hunger and they had it in spades today.

“I know people will say we’ve lost so many and how hadn’t we the hunger but they had it more than we had today.”

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GALWAY TOOK THE main senior prize on offer but it was also a momentous occasion on All-Ireland camogie final day for both Westmeath and Kerry yesterday.

Westmeath claimed a 1-11 to 1-9 victory in the intermediate decider against Galway, who were fielding their second side, to cap a remarkable rise for the county.

They will ply their trade at senior level in 2020, just three years after competing in the Premier Junior grade. That 2017 success paved the way for intermediate promotion before their intermediate success yesterday.

Long-serving player Pamela Greville was player of the match and got to celebrate afterwards with her brother Johnny, the manager of the team who delivered a passionate post-match interview.

'You're not going to get a Jim Gavin from me' – Pamela and Johnny Greville speak to RTÉ Sport after Wesmeath's historic All-Ireland victory #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/qJ7oXOtvnd

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) September 8, 2019

Full-forward Greville scored 0-9 in Westmeath’s victory and was best placed to sum up the progress they have made.

“Senior camogie – that’s been our aim for a few years now. It shows, when you put your mind to it what people can too. It’s a brilliant Westmeath team and I’ve loved every minute of being with them.

“The work-rate out there in the second half from goalie the whole way up meant Galway didn’t have the time to do anything and then we were breaking free. It’s always the scorers and forwards get the praise but this was about the whole team.

“I started a ridiculous amount a time ago and the dream of playing senior camogie was what kept me going. We’ll see how the legs handle it after the winter!

“To have Stephanie (Pamela’s daughter) here is great, it’s very emotional – she’s not usually like this!

“We’re going to enjoy this. It’s been a long time coming.”

Westmeath are champions! Mairead McCormack, captain, lifts the Jack McGrath Cup #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/whzTPohV80

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) September 8, 2019

Earlier the premier junior final had also delivered a major breakthrough with Kerry winning their first piece of silverware at this level when they saw off Limerick by 0-11 to 0-8.

Kerry’s team is comprised of 14 players from Clanmaurice – the only adult club in the county – as they atoned for last year’s loss to Dublin with midfielder Laura Collins delighted that they had finally got over the line.

'It's absolutely amazing, I can't even explain how it feels' – Laura Collins speaks to RTÉ Sport after Kerry's win #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/J9UVntjpVf

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) September 8, 2019

Kerry captain Niamh Leen lifts the trophy #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/oel1hA0o1B

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) September 8, 2019

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A DREAM COME true on the biggest stage.

Ailish O’Reilly celebrates with her grandmother, Mary O’Reilly.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

The outpour of emotion as the final whistle sounded at Croke Park said it all. 

After falling at the short so many times over the past few years, Galway finally reached the Holy Grail with a stunning six-point win over Kilkenny yesterday, and lifted the O’Duffy Cup for the first time since 2013.

Three first-half goals from Oranmore/Maree clubmates sent them on their way; two of those coming from Ailish O’Reilly and the other poked in by Niamh Hanniffy.

The immediate feeling when that final whistle sounded, so?

“Relief,” two-goal hero O’Reilly smiles. “I don’t even know if it’s sunk in. 2013 feels like a lifetime ago. I was vomiting all that morning and I flew off on Erasmus a few days later so I didn’t appreciate it enough. By God am I going to enjoy this one.”

Of course, she had to get a word in for her clubmate Hanniffy, who joined her in raising green flags at the Hill 16 End. A really special day for the duo.

“We were messing in the car on the way up and we said this was what we were gonna do, score goals,” she laughs.

“It’s actually a dream come true for clubmates. I’ve been with her since November driving up and down so we have that bond. And we’re not afraid to rat each other out and just be straight with each other! I’m so happy for her and myself.”

O’Reilly and Hannify celebrate at the final whistle.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

O’Reilly adds of her brace, which she was unlucky not to make a hat-trick: “Being me, I’m going to be kicking myself for the one that I missed.

“But I suppose I didn’t get a whole pile of ball against Cork [in the semi-final]. It took me until the last 10 minutes of the Waterford game to get settled in.

“I could have just thrown in the towel but that’s one thing that has changed this year. We did not give a damn who was scoring and who was putting them over. We were winning and that was the main thing.”

Another word for a very special person in her life. The record-breaking attendance of 24,730 is put to O’Reilly, but one fan in particular of that number springs to mind. 

“Incredible. There was a serious Galway crowd out there. I had my 87-year-old Granny out there with me so this one’s for her.”

The sentimental bits and pieces are always a huge talking point after matches of that magnitude, but so is the journey. The highs and lows, the ups and downs, the good days and the bad; it all adds up.

Bullish afterwards, the 25-year-old star forward says that the pre-match talk surrounding 2016 champions, and 2017 and 2018 finalists Kilkenny, suited Galway down to the ground. 

O’Reilly celebrates scoring her early goal.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

In one of her first answers about goals winning games, she made her feelings known from the get-go, explaining just how irked she was that all the hype surrounded their opponents after the Tribe had beaten them in the league final and dethroned Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final.

But after being written off, O’Reilly is pleased that her side again showed true character and “proved a lot of people wrong” yesterday.

“We had three goals, but we were capable of getting a couple of more,” she began. “There was a lot of talk about the Kilkenny forwards and I think every time we ran at them we looked dangerous

“The pressure was on them and we went out and put everything out there for 60 minutes. I’ll appreciate this one for sure.

“We beat them in the league final and all the talk was they beat us in the first round of the championship. What was the point of giving anything away then? We were definitely going to have to play them again.

“We beat Cork by a point and again all the talk was about Kilkenny and that suited us down to the ground. I think we’ve proved a lot of people wrong today. We showed what we’re capable of. We beat Cork and we beat Kilkenny so I think we deserve this one.”

The criticism her side have shipped over the past few years has definitely cheesed her off.

O’Reilly and Hanniffy with the O’Duffy Cup.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Spoofers. Bluffers. Bottlers. Falling at the semi-final stage over and over. Her team-mates have spoken about it time and time again this year, and O’Reilly doubled down hard on all that was said before.

“Okay, we were losing but you look back to 2013, what was the biggest margin we lost to Cork and Kilkenny by? Fair enough, we kept falling and people had every right to criticise us but this year that wasn’t going happening.

“Fair dues to Cathal [Murray] and his management team – go out and ask them, I don’t know what the secret ingredient is but just a bit of belief and confidence. I suppose the league final and the league semi-final against Cork gave us the belief that we could go on and beat anyone.”

She can’t pinpoint exactly what Murray and his team instilled in the side or what was different this year, but belief, winning and losing as a team, playing as a unit from one to 30 and work-rate are all mentioned.

And it comes back to that when the loss of key defender Tara Kenny is mentioned.

Galway were forced into a late change after Sarsfields star Kenny tore her cruciate in training just days before the big day. That devastating injury, and seeing their team-mate missing out just drove them on.

“Whatever Cathal has done this year with our team, there’s a mentality and a belief there that whatever is thrown at us, we were going to come fighting back even two times harder. We did it for her.

With her grandmother, Mary.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

“Teeny [star forward Caitriona Cormican] went back and you would barely even know that [key Kilkenny player] Anne Dalton was in the game. I don’t think our backs have gotten enough credit all year.”

O’Reilly agrees that the victory is massive for Galway camogie, and backed the intermediate side to bounce back after their defeat to Westmeath beforehand: “They’ll be back.

“We had to wait seven long years for this one. How many years did we wait before that for one?”

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17: they won their first in 1996 under Tony Ward, the same man who masterminded the 2013 win.

But it’s all about 2019. And what a year it’s been for Ailish O’Reilly, and for Galway.

“I forgot we’d won the double to be honest but it makes it even sweeter,” she laughs. “I firmly believe everything happens for a reason and we have proven so many people wrong this year.

“I am just so happy to be honest.”

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2016 ALL-IRELAND WINNING boss Ann Downey has stepped down from her role as Kilkenny camogie manager following yesterday’s decider defeat to Galway. 

The Leinster county have confirmed that Downey made the announcement to her team in the Croke Park dressing room yesterday, and followed that up with a few words to everyone at the post-match banquet last night.

The Lisdowney club woman, synonymous with Kilkenny Camogie after winning 12 All-Ireland senior medals as a player, has been at the helm for four seasons, and steered the side to O’Duffy Cup glory in her first year in charge.

In doing so, Kilkenny ended a 22-year wait for the silver — their last title lift before that came in 1994 when Downey herself was captain.

In 2017 and 2018, she again led the Cats back to HQ for the showpiece but they fell agonisingly short to Cork on both occasions, while yesterday, Galway broke their hearts yet again as they ran out six-point winners.

Through her tenure, Downey also delivered three Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League Division 1 titles in-a-row, and three Leinster titles. Incredibly, she’s been involved in all 13 of the county’s All-Ireland title wins.

A statement from chairperson Sheila Norris, in full, reads:

Downey with the O’Duffy Cup in 2016.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

“Ann Downey has decided to step down from her managerial role with the Kilkenny senior camogie team.

“Having done a two year stint from 2008-2009 and reaching the All Ireland in 2009, she again took over the reins in 2016, bringing the team to claim their first All Ireland in twenty two years in her first year in charge.

“Three in a row National League Division 1 titles were secured  in 2016, 2017 and 2018 as well as reaching the All-Ireland final in each of those years and indeed in 2019. We also won three Leinster titles in 2017, 2018 and 2019. She received the accolade of Manager of The Year in 2016.

“All this was on top of a stellar playing career, during which she won twelve All Ireland medals.

Kilkenny Camogie is very grateful to Ann for the time and commitment she has given to camogie over the last four years. Her dedication to her sport and to her county has been second to none and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours.”

Downey was gracious in defeat yesterday, praising Cathal Murray’s Tribe for their performance afterwards, and backing her side to bounce back and go again.

“They’ve been here so many times and come back and come back but it’ll be a long winter,” she said.

“We’ll reassess, sit down and see what everyone wants to do. They’ll go back to their clubs and we’ll be there for them and support them to try and get over today.”

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THERE WERE SMILES all round as the victorious Galway senior camogie squad brought the O’Duffy Cup to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin earlier today.

The Tribeswomen produced an incredible display to edge out Kilkenny in Sunday’s thrilling decider, and secure their first senior All-Ireland crown since 2013.

Galway hit three first-half goals to send them on their way to a six-point victory which marked a third consecutive All-Ireland final defeat for the Cats.

As is tradition for All-Ireland winners, the Galway team came to visit the staff and patients at Crumlin Children’s Hospital to continue their celebrations.

For team captain Sarah Dervan, there was one particular person from her home in Mullagh that she was keen to meet.

The victorious @galwaycamogie96 team and their captain @Sdervan12Sarah were welcomed to @CMRF_Crumlin by a very special fan this morning #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/AWJMoNyPVN

— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) September 9, 2019

Darragh Ruygers sent a message to the Galway full-back wishing her the best of luck ahead of the game, and she was thrilled to bring the O’Duffy Cup to him after their victory.

It’s just unbelievable,” she told RTÉ. “Darragh sent me a fabulous good luck message on Saturday. [He] told me we better win [and] that he’d be here waiting for us.

“Sure enough he was the first kid on show. Look, it’s just unbelievable. It’s a huge honour to be here and be able to meet the kids and everything, it’s just fantastic.”

Galway players visit Lexi Heffernan

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Lexi Heffernan with the O’Duffy Cup

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Shauna Healy, Emma Helebert and Catherine Finnerty with Maebh Gallagher

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Sarah Dervan with her neighbours Darragh Ruygers and Audrey Coone

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Galway players with the hospital staff

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

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Updated Sep 9th 2019, 3:41 PM

CORK, FERMANAGH AND Limerick club action will all be in the spotlight as RTÉ and TG4 commence their coverage of the 2019 GAA county championships on the weekend of 21-22 September.

RTÉ’s coverage on Saturday 21 September will start with a double-header in the Cork senior hurling championship.

The ties in Páirc Uí Rinn are both at the quarter-final stage with 2015 and ’16 champions Glen Rovers taking on 2009 winners Newtownshandrum with a 5pm throw-in time.

Then the main game at 6.45pm sees divisional outfit Imokilly, the current title holders chasing three-in-a-row, facing East Cork side Sarsfields, last winners in 2014. The sides met at the semi-final stage in 2017 with a replay needed to settle the issue.

Then on Sunday 22 September TG4 will broadcast the Fermanagh senior football final live between Derrygonnelly Harps, who are chasing five-in-a-row this year, and Roslea Shamrocks. GAA BEO begins at 2pm that day followed by deferred coverage of the Limerick senior hurling semi-finals.

The current situation in Limerick sees quarter-final ties this Sunday between Kilmallock and Ahane, and Doon going up against Ballybrown. Patrickswell and Na Piarsaigh await at the semi-final stage.

This is the first year that RTÉ will be televising GAA county championship games in the autumn as part of a sub-licensing deal with eir Sport, who had signed a five-year broadcasting agreement with the GAA in 2017.

TG4 remains the primary broadcaster of the club championships as they will retain the right to pick the first two games every weekend with RTÉ filling the remaining slots. 

TG4 have also announced they will show the Antrim county senior hurling final live on Sunday 29 September along with a deferred showing of the Dublin SFC clash of Na Fianna against Ballymun Kickhams. Their live game on Sunday 6 October will be the Limerick county senior hurling final.

The inter-county scene is set to conclude this weekend with RTÉ broadcasting the All-Ireland senior football final replay on Saturday evening when Dublin take on Kerry in Croke Park at 6pm and then on Sunday TG4 cameras will be present at the venue for the 2019 All-Ireland ladies football finals.

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