Eamonn Ryan: I’m not a defensive coach

CORK 3-8 GALWAY 1-14: Nollaig Cleary turned to a friend during the first-half of this National League decider and wondered if Cork had always employed such a defensive approach.

Cleary, who collected her ninth All-Ireland medal last September before retiring, was somewhat taken aback by the set-up of the Rebels at Parnell Park — Cork corner-forward Orla Finn operating inside her own 20-metre line at one stage in the opening half.

Galway enjoyed greater possession and scoring opportunities, but were reduced to lateral hand-passing and speculative long-range efforts — six first-half wides testament to Cork’s work-rate and discipline inside their own half. The class of Tracey Leonard sustained the Tribeswomen during that spell — the full-forward kicked 0-5 of their 0-6 tally— as Cork, buoyed by Ciara O’Sullivan’s fisted goal on 14 minutes, snuffed out the threat of Olivia Divilly, Edel Concannon and Patricia Gleeson. At least three Cork forwards would retreat each time Galway moved into opposition territory and it was their hunting-in-packs approach that prevented Galway sub Aoibheann Daly getting a shot away to win the game in the final minute.