IT’S BEEN TWENTY years since Kilkenny last delivered a camogie title at senior level.
The Cats lie third in the camogie roll of honour with 12 titles, including seven in-a-row during a stunning period between 1985-91.
But since their last title in ’94, camogie in the county has gone through a barren spell, in stark contrast with their male counterparts who have delivered nine All-Irelands in fourteen years.
A final appearance in 2009 proved to be a false dawn, and this September is the 20th anniversary of the last time they brought home the O’Duffy Cup.
In his first year as co-manager, Graham Dillon brought Kilkenny to the 2013 All-Ireland final, where they were defeated by Galway. This year, they’re aiming to go one better, having already dethroned the Tribeswomen in the semi-final.
“With the talent that has come through Kilkenny, there’s no way that they should have been that long without a title. The girls know themselves but they’re under no pressure of being 20 or 21 years, whatever it is since they last won an All-Ireland,” he says.
“They’re only concentrating on their own. History will write itself but they’ll only be concentrating on going out and making their own history next Sunday.”
Kilkenny have been enjoying a serious vein of form this year, enjoying an average winning margin of 15 points en route to the final.
“The only game we lost this year was against Wexford in the Leinster final. The girls are going well, the forwards are putting up good scores but there’s a lot of hard work being put in by the backs as well. We’ve been mean, we haven’t let in too many goals.
“We’ll have huge respect for Cork going in but our girls won’t fear anyone. Our backs would be of the opinion in training that they’re marking the best forwards in the country. They’re testing one another all the time.”
They face a formidable Cork outfit who are littered with All-Ireland winners, in both camogie and ladies football. But the Trinity Gaels clubman is confident they are ready for whatever Cork throw at them.
“There’s no easy night in a training field in James Stephens, you know whatever player you’re on is a top class player. When you’ve full backs and you’re sending in Katie Powers and Shelly Farrells onto them, their not going to face much better throughout the country. So they know their ready for whatever Cork are going to bring.”
“Cork are athletic and physical and they play a lovely brand of hurling and it’s kind of building up to be a good game of hurling on the day and hopefully that’s what will happen.”
Legend of a manger. The next Brian Cody
I know the bloke, full of shhhiiitttteee
Hard to believe Kilkenny ladies have gone so long without silverware…fair play to them for reaching a consecutive final and hopefully they’ll get the reward they deserve! Interesting to see a Dub coach seamlessly transforming his university coaching success to county championship level.