Emma Duffy Reports from Croke Park

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.

Cork's Molly Lynch and Meabh Cahalane lift the O'Duffy Cup. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO

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

COR 1-11 GAL 0-10

📺 @RTE2 & @RTEplayer
📱 Updates https://t.co/nuic0yFx1D
📻 @RTERadio1 pic.twitter.com/mBkBnMpXwq

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) August 11, 2024

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).