McCormack: 'Tipp will be back'

Tipperary manager Paddy McCormack is backing his camogie stars after a late lapse saw them overhauled by Cork in yesterday's All-Ireland senior final at Croke Park.

Tipp, gunning for a three-in-a-row of titles and their sixth O'Duffy Cup in seven years, fell apart in the second half after establishing a 1-10 to 0-08 half-time lead.

The champions hit just three points in the second half as the Rebelettes' superior fitness, drilled into them this season by former player Fiona O'Driscoll, and brilliant shot-taking saw them win out 1-17 to 1-13.

There were some positives for Tipperary to take from the decider - Claire Grogan was in inspired form, hitting a goal and five points. But is it the end of an era for the current panel of Premier girls?

McCormack, who succeeded Raymie Ryan as boss at the start of the season, does not think so.

He said: "Some people probably think this will be the end of the current Tipperary team because most of the players have been involved at this level for a long time, but I don't see it that way.

"Of course it was a shame to miss out on a third straight All-Ireland but remember, these Tipperary players responded to losing the final in 2002 by winning two on the trot and I don't see how they can't do the same now."

Camogie Association officials are likely to hold a discussion on the poor attendance at yesterday's showpiece final. The junior and senior deciders - involving four different counties, including Dublin - drew a crowd of just 14,350 to the Jones' Road venue.

That figure was well short of the 2004 Centenary Year final attendance of 24,567. It also failed to beat the 2003 mark of 16,183.