Tears of delight:
All-Ireland camogie champions Cork celebrate their win over Kilkenny in Croke Park yesterday, but it all proved a bit too much for five-month-old Tadhg Scannell, who is son of team member Briege Corkery. Photo: Caroline Quinn
THEY had been here before, but for their nervous fans that didn’t make it any easier. The ladies of Cork and Kilkenny squared up for their third All-Ireland Senior Camogie Final in a row and an almighty, nail-biting battle was guaranteed.
By the time the final whistle blew, the 21,000 fans in Croke Park had been put through the wringer, with barely a nail or a breath left.
Cork retained the title but, for the second year, victory was theirs by the tightest of margins – just one point.
The sides were level no fewer than eight times during the thrilling match.
The raw emotion of Cork captain Aoife Murray was evident as she lifted the O’Duffy Cup. But she was here not for fame or sporting glory, but for the girls and women of Cork.
“It’s immense pride for me to stand here with some of the finest women, it’s an immense honour for me to stand here and I hope we did you justice,” Aoife told RTÉ Sport.
“I couldn’t be prouder of you, girls. I know we are going to make the most of this. I really am living my childhood dream.”
Wearing a red bandanna, Murray looked every inch the rebel as she paid tribute to the Cats “for bringing out the best in us”.
But as the Rebels posed for photographs and provided the perfect shot for the morning papers, with Briege Corkery’s young son sitting in the cup, it was all a little too much for the battle-worn Cats, who lay strewn across the pitch.
For the exuberant Cork fans, the journey up to Dublin had paid off handsomely – although many said just being there to support the players was reason enough to make the trip.
Little Easkey Duggan (2) and her mother, Carrie Budels, had travelled from their home in Youghal.
While delighted with the result, for Carrie it was “vital” to be in Croke Park so Easkey could see the women in action.
“Easkey is two and she loves all sport. She watches rugby, hurling, football, but I want her to see women playing at the highest level so she can see women to look up to and know it’s possible to get there.“
Also up from Youghal were the O’Brien family – dad Olly and his son Finn and four-yearold daughter Tara.
“Today is Tara’s day,” said Olly. “It’s great for my daughter to be at the women’s final, to see girls at the pinnacle of sport and she’s very excited to see Cork win.”
James Mulcahy (7) had travelled from Midleton to support his teacher at Ballintotis National School in Castlemartyr, Niamh O’Callaghan.
“It’s great that James is getting to see his teacher play,” said his dad Tony.
“But being here today is about much more. Boys and men need to support women’s sport. It’s been a fantastic year for Irish women’s sport and it’s getting better.”