‘We played with our hearts on our sleeves’
Selector Fiona O’Driscoll agreed that the super efficiency of their backs had been hugely significant in beating Tipperary with comparative ease.
“The defence was the most settled part our team. There were a lot of meetings going on there behind the scenes. The girls get together quite often; they work very well as a group,” she said.
Killeagh’s Mary O’Connor, one of four starters yesterday who will also be playing in the Ladies Football All-Ireland final on October 1, confirmed this. “The six of us met a couple of times last week. We were determined we were going to work as a unit — that it wouldn’t matter who cleared the ball as long as it was cleared,’’ she said.
“It was an absolutely amazing experience to win. We know that in the camogie world we are under-estimated and we were out there to prove a point — to win back-to-back titles. The work ethic out there was fantastic, right to the very end.
“Tipperary had to replace some of their players but we lost two of our starting team from last year. We were in transition in 2000/01/02. There’s no point in dwelling on the past, it’s all about the present. There were one or two times when they might have got a goal, but we played with our hearts on our sleeves today.’’
John Cronin agreed that his players had been “very sure” of themselves. “All through the match they played very well, I thought. And once the second half was under way I felt they were never going to lose.
“The confidence from winning last year was a big boost. We never had to chase the game but at the same time, it was only six points to three at half-time. A goal after that could have changed it about. But our backs held out — and they were trying to go for goals when they might have been better taking their points.’’
Cloughduv star Joanne O’Callaghan was overjoyed, making a point of thanking her club for bestowing the honour of captaincy on her. “The girls were unbelievable. They just gave it everything they had. They were never going to leave Tipperary get on top,’’ she said. “We fought all the way to the end.’’
Goalkeeper Aoife Murray achieved her personal goal of not being beaten. “I was working my way down to a clean sheet,’’ she said proudly. “The first year I let in two. And one last year. I thought we showed a fantastic appetite.’’
Full-back Catriona Foley had a special reason to celebrate her first medal, having torn a cruciate ligament two years ago and injured her shoulder recently. “I only resumed training last July,’’ she said. “It was was great to get back. They’re an incredible bunch of girls.’’
Rena Buckley, also a dual player, said: “We know that we are as good if not better than Tipperary. We took the match to them from the very beginning and in the second half we really showed that we were the better team.”
