Never mind Rio, there’s plenty of excitement set for Croker
ANNA GEARY LOOKS BACK ON A WEEKEND OF AMAZING SEMIFINALS AND PAINTS AN EXCITING PICTURE AHEAD OF THIS YEAR’S CAMOGIE ALL-IRELAND FINAL
LAST Saturday the four All- Ireland Semi Finalists certainly built up the suspense, keeping us on tenterhooks from start to finish. The excitement of extra time in both games proved to be a talking point from many GAA fans on the Sunday, particularly when the hurling replay between Kilkenny and Waterford was seconds away from going down a similar route. People discussed the hurling and Camogie in the same breath. Money cannot buy that publicity.
All teams made history by appearing in the first Camogie semi-finals live on TV. We were treated to two great spectacles, each team bringing a unique style, each game throwing a curveball in the dying moments of normal time.
The Camogie Association must have been leaping off its seats as, both games lived up to the hype, and the skills demonstrated by all teams filled me with pride to play the game of Camogie. The entirety of the triple header in Semple Stadium was intense, manic, hard-hitting stuff. Those who stayed at home will curse their muddled priorities – but at least you could tune in from your sitting rooms.
Camogie has so little exposure on the ‘ box’ so, when it is shown, pressure and expectation are attached to the quality of the game. It must capture the imagination of the neutral GAA fan at home. It needs to entice them to cross their threshold and venture to the next game, local or otherwise.
When we get our chance, we must deliver. Performance is key. Last year’s All-Ireland Final was a poor contest, not because either team lacked quality but because, unfortunately for Galway, they played like they were a beaten team from the throw-in. That is not to disrespect the superiority of the Cork women in the final, 14 of which started last weekend, but it lacked any bite and rawness.
Kilkenny and Cork also met in a Senior Camogie All-Ireland final in 2009, again another lacklustre final. Much like the Kilkenny hurlers for much of this year’s championship, it is not Cork’s – or any team’s – fault if their opponents are not up to the challenge. But Camogie ultimately suffers.
However, all it takes is for one team to ruffle feathers and see what the champions are made of. It’s fight or flight time then! Waterford had Kilkenny to the pin of their collar last Saturday and the Kilkenny men showed their exceptional composure and resilience.
These Cork women are the same, it is when their backs are against the wall and alarm bells are going off that you see the true depth of their determination. Kilkenny have the capability to take the game to Cork. They have players that will test Cork’s style of play. Cork play with a freedom of expression that has to be admired. But that only works when the opposing players are not causing damage.
Kilkenny’s greatest threat is themselves. They need to keep the light switched on upstairs at all times. Don’t turn it off going in at half-time, feck the electricity bill. They failed to score for the opening 19 mins of the second-half last Saturday. For all the possession they had, and despite the gap they opened up with the goal inside the opening two minutes, then only led by four points at half-time.
I expected the black and amber jerseys to come out and raise the bar in the second half, but it was the Tribeswomen who upped the tempo and dictated the proceedings for the remainder of the game.
In the 2014 All-Ireland Final, Kilkenny descended down the same path. They were up four points at half-time and had commanded the game in almost every sector. Yet we were the team that brought the fight in the second-half. We clawed our way back. We were determined to do whatever was needed to be done. And then I got to walk up those sacred steps on the Hogan Stand.
That Cork team have 23 players with Senior All-Ireland medals. In total they have amassed over 60 Senior All-Ireland medals between them. No, it’s not a typo, I said 60! With those medals comes experience, trust, proven track records, ruthlessness, belief and perseverance.
They have seen and done it all before. How many Senior All-Ireland medals have the Kilkenny team accumulated? None. Unless you count the numerous All-Ireland titles of those pacing the sidelines. Their leader-in-chief Ann Downey was the captain in 1994, which was the last time Kilkenny were crowned champions. Ann has a desire to succeed and I expect her to instil that drive in her young team. They need to use their hunger and fearlessness. Yes, they have skilled players but that alone isn’t enough, just ask the Galway hurlers who have an abundance of skill. But they lack that killer instinct.
Paudie Murray of Cork wants three-in-a-row titles. Ann Downey of Kilkenny has unfinished business.
“If you build it, they will come”. The stage is set, the prospect of a thriller is mouth-watering. Now let’s build the hype and hopefully the supporters will come. Nothing beats being there after all!
Put your bum on a seat in Croke Park on September 11. Both teams deserve nothing less.
CAMOGIE HAS SO LITTLE EXPOSURE ON THE BOX, SO WHEN IT IS SHOWN... IT MUST CAPTURE THE IMAGINATION OF THE NEUTRAL AT HOME... IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME.