Murray earns Rebels' plaudits

Cork goalkeeper Aoife Murray was on the receiving end of some major plaudits from her manager Denise Cronin, after her superb shot-stopping performance helped her side earn a five-point victory over Galway in yesterday's Gala All-Ireland Senior Camogie final.

Despite leaking a 27th-minute goal, following a dipping shot from Galway midfielder Aine Hillary, Murray made amends on the restart with three excellent saves, helping to pave the way for a Cork success.

Cronin believes that the Cloughduv net minder is among the best in the country.

"Aoife Murray was outstanding. She put her hand up in the dressing room at half-time and was disappointed with the goal that went in but we know she is one of the best players in the country," the Cork boss said.

"She is one of the best goalkeepers around and I think she proved that out there definitely.

"She brought off three point-blank saves and the only reason we are celebrating there, you might talk about a lot of people but I'll talk about Aoife Murray she's the reason we are celebrating."

In her debut year as manager, Cronin conceded it was tough going on the sideline, but she was delighted that all of her players rose to the big occasion.

"It's a little bit more nerve-wracking that you can't do anything, but it's a great feeling at the end of the day," said the former All-Ireland winning captain.

"Our big job is to make the decisions and to see who is possibly going to come on. It's never a fifteen person game.

"I must say I commend everybody who went out on the field. Everybody who came on, they were brilliant. They were absolutely fabulous and gave their all for Cork."

And despite Cork's sluggish start, which saw Galway take an early 0-04 to 0-00 lead, Cronin was not worried at that stage.

"I wasn't really worried and you might think I would have been, but we haven't started well all year.

"I think against Tipperary (in the semi-final) we only started playing well in the second half, so the fact that we started playing after ten minutes was a big bonus.

"We were actually level-pegging after not playing well at all and I'd say that must have knocked Galway back just a small bit."

Cork captain Caitriona Foley revealed that although her side had leaked a goal in the closing stages of the opening half, there was a quiet confidence in the dressing room at half-time.

"All year our emphasis was on relaxation, just calmness and composure really. Gemma (O'Connor) said a few words and Jim (McCarthy) said a few words," Foley revealed.

"We all knew what we had to do really, because we were in the same situation last year.

"We were up against an inexperienced team for whom it was their first time at Croke Park.

"We knew that in the championship earlier this year they had beaten us by a late goal so it wasn't going to happen (today) and we made sure of it."

Foley reflected on a strong team effort, which ultimately delivered a 23rd All-Ireland senior triumph, while not forgetting the importance of Sile Burns' two first half goals.

"There in the first half when we needed her, she stepped up to the mark and she produced the goods.

"Saying that, Rachel Moloney played well also, she was very composed on the frees...all of the forwards.

"Eimear O'Sullivan won some ball out on the wing and she passed it in. The forwards who came on were outstanding as well.

"Credit to the backs as well, even the midfielders. When it was tough in the last few minutes Briege (Corkery) and Orla (Cotter) fell back behind the half-back line, and the half-back line nearly fell behind the full-back line."

"There was always someone there to defend and it was just sheer and utter determination."