Cork 1-16
Galway 0-16
BACK-TO-BACK delight for Cork, heartbreak for Galway.
Cork have defended their All-Ireland senior camogie championship crown after a thrilling final win over gutsy Galway.
Ger Manley’s side powered to a three-point victory late on in a ding-dong battle, as the Rebels completed a senior and intermediate double in front of 27,811 fans at Croke Park.
Katrina Mackey’s 36th-minute goal was crucial as Cork moved into a six-point lead early in the second half. Galway reeled the favourites back in, and the sides were level for the 10th time in the 51st minute — 1-13 to 0-16.
But Cork’s bench and fitness was key through a late rally, with scores from substitute duo Sorcha McCartan (two) and Clodagh Finn ultimately getting them over the line.
The scoring power of Mackey, Amy O’Connor and Saoirse McCarthy was also pivotal as nine different players raised white flags. Ashling Thompson was immense in the middle.
Galway will rue a string of missed chances late on as their wait for a first O’Duffy Cup since 2021 continues. It’s also a third All-Ireland disappointment for the county in 2024, after their men’s and women’s football teams were defeated in recent weeks.
The outstanding Aoife Donohue and Carrie Dolan led the scoring charge, but Cathal Murray’s side fell agonisingly short.
They led by the minimum at half time — 0-10 to 0-9 — as the teams were level eight times through a pulsating opening period.
Cork started brightest, but Galway free-taker Dolan led the charge in keeping in touch in through a tit-for-tat battle.
It was hugely physical, too, with Cork trio Thompson, Izzy O’Regan and Laura Treacy and Galway duo Dervla Higgins and Olwen Rabbitte all seeing yellow cards throughout.
Brilliant from Amy O'Connor to set up Katrina Mackey for the opening goal
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) August 11, 2024
COR 1-11 GAL 0-10
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Daylight momentarily came for Cork through a huge third quarter. They hit 1-4 without reply through a 10-minute blitz; Mackey bundling over the line for the game’s only goal, though many will argue it was a throw.
But this was where the Rebels’ strengths were best seen as they successfully penetrated having previously threatened: Thompson found O’Connor with a long delivery and the marauding St Vincents star put it on a plate for Mackey.
Galway dug deep afterwards to point six on the spin, Cork’s lead evaporating across a 14-minute scoreless spell, but they turned the tables and finished strong through a helter-skelter endgame.
Points from the injured McCartan (two) and Finn ensured the O’Duffy Cup will winter on Leeside for the 30th time.
Scorers for Cork: Katrina Mackey 1-2, Saoirse McCarthy (1f) and Amy O’Connor (3f) 0-3 each, Orlaith Cahalane and Sorcha McCartan 0-2, Cliona Healy, Fiona Keating, Ashling Thompson and Clodagh Finn 0-1 each.
Scorers for Galway: Carrie Dolan 0-8 (7f), Aoife Donohue 0-4, Ailsh O’Reilly 0-2, Niamh Mallon and Ciara Hickey 0-1 each.
Cork
1. Amy Lee (Na Piarsaigh)
2. Meadbh Murphy (Ballinora), 3. Izzy O’Regan (Ballygarvan), 4. Pamela Mackey (Douglas)
5. Hannah Looney (Killeagh), 6. Laura Treacy (Killeagh), 7. Laura Hayes (St Catherines — vice captain)
8. Aisling Thompson (Milford), 9. Aoife Healy (Aghada)
10. Saoirse McCarthy (Courcey Rovers), 11. Fiona Keating (Courcey Rovers), 12. Cliona Healy (Aghabullogue)
13. Amy O’Connor (St Vincent’s), 14. Katrina Mackey (Douglas), 15. Orlaith Cahalane (St Finbarrs)
Subs
20. Sorcha McCartan (St Finbarrs) for Katrina Mackey (39 – injured)
27. Ciara O’Sullivan (Newcestown) for Cliona Healy (48)
17. Méabh Cahalane (St Finbarrs) for Hannah Looney (51)
25. Clodagh Finn (Fr O’Neills) for Fiona Keating (52)
22. Emma Murphy (Glen Rovers) for Orlaith Cahalane (63)
Galway
1. Sarah Healy (St Thomas)
2. Rachael Hanniffy (Oranmore Maree), 3. Roisin Black (Oranmore Maree — captain), 4. Dervla Higgins (Athenry)
5. Annmarie Starr (Killimor), 6. Aine Keane (St Thomas), 7. Ciara Hickey (Davitts)
8. Niamh Hanniffy (Oranmore Maree), 9. Niamh Kilkenny (Pearses)
10. Aoife Donoghue (Mullagh), 11. Niamh McPeake (Liam Mellows), 12. Olwen Rabbitte (Athenry)
13. Carrie Dolan (Clarinbridge), 14. Niamh Mallon (Sarsfields), 15. Ailish O’Reilly (Oranmore Maree)
Subs
23. Orlaith McGrath (Sarsfields) for Ailish O’Reilly (48)
24. Niamh Niland (Clarinbridge) for Niamh Hanniffy (62)
20. Ally Hesnan (Shamrocks) for Olwen Rabitte (65).
Referee: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny).
Very deserving…but Galway will be very dissapointed with some bad misses and 2 or 3 very questionable ref decisions
Up the REBELS
@Square: Galway won on the eye candy square
@Square: unfortunately that’s all cork will win
@Alan Moloney: more than dubs lol
@Square: what will kill cork for year’s to come day couldn’t beat Clare and again in 2013 when day had it won and still lost
You’d have to question some of the officiating there today, very very poor. The All Ireland final deserves better. Fair play to Cork, Galway gave everything and couldn’t stop them
Brilliant game that effectively went down to the wire. Galway really gave it everything, but the tiredness seemed to creep into their game in the last 10 mins. Maybe could’ve had a free in for a chop towards the end there, but they would’ve had to go for goal. Some beautiful points scored. Congrats Rebels.
@Ultán Corcoran: lovely hurling
@Ultán Corcoran: . They may not have had to go for goal if they had been given that penalty Ultan. Great game.
Galway could have got a free out for the cork forward throwing the ball into the net for their goal????
Cork were much more physical than Galway and with the way it was reffed it suited them. Disappointed for Galway. Great match though, and well done the Rebels.
@Dennis L: I actually think Galway were far more physical in the first half but Cork identified the ref was letting it go so upped the ante.
Well done to Cork great game Galway gave everything .. will rue a few missed chances towards the end but Cork were just better today.. I’d question the Cork goal as it didn’t seem to hit a hurling before it went into the net ..
Well done to Cork. Great game and Cork came out on top. A great double senior and intermediate for the rebels. Galway will rue a few bad wides towards the end
@Diarmuid: The double first one since 1990
@Diarmuid: and a few very questionable referee decisions towards the end of the second half
@Square: . Galway won that double in 2013. Orlaith McGrath played in both games.
Cork handed another all ireland by referee
@Tony McGrath: LOL. You’ve a very short memory!
@Tony McGrath: no different from the senior hurling final.
@Tony McGrath: correct
@Tony McGrath: lol… bitter tears. Thoroughly deserved from Cork.
Told you Galway would do the treble. #somedonkeyalright
@Ray Ridge: congrats ridge R a y
@Ray Ridge: No one cares what u said
@Sean: harsh john
@Sean: obviously they do!. #somedonkeyalright
@Square: Cheers 90 degrees!
@Ray Ridge: Tosser.
3 all Irelands
@Alan Moloney: galway
No Ray Ridge I told you so?
@tbEE5DMm: who
@tbEE5DMm: rat is off spending all his winnings from Cork winning today
@WqM9AAv3: Ray*
@WqM9AAv3: You got right first time
@Square: ya going to the south mall for tomorrow’s homecoming?