Galway boss Murray rues one that got away 

The Tribe came up just short against the defending champions at Croke Park. 

Galway manager Cathal Murray. Pic: INPHO/Tom Maher

Despite a gutsy display, Sunday’s Glen Dimplex All-Ireland camogie senior final loss is one that is going to haunt Galway according to Cathal Murray.

Deep in the bowels of Croke Park, Cathal Murray didn’t shirk a question nor fail to deliver an honest answer shortly after the final whistle.

The Galway manager oversaw his county’s last camogie senior title win back in 2021. That was against Cork but today, despite a valiant effort, the Rebels just proved too strong down the stretch.

“We felt over the last five weeks that things were going well,” the Galway senior manager admitted.

“Today, we knew there wasn’t going to be much in it. The previous game down in Páirc Uí Chaoimh was a non-event. I think the girls recovered well (from that) to be honest. It was themselves that got into a huddle straight away and just talked about coming back.

“Obviously, we had a great win against Tipperary in the semi-finals. We came in here today, honest to God, knew Cork were going really well, a massive challenge.

“In fairness, we threw everything at them in the first half.

“We were really happy going in at half time. They came at us just after that. They made a few good switches, in fairness, you’d have to hand that to them.

“We came back at them and got it level. We were in a great position but probably didn’t take our chances.” 

Katrina Mackey’s goal was the source of much debate in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s senior decider. The manner in which the Cork forward untidily forced the ball over the line, and whether it was legal, will be debated for some time.

“Obviously, the goal was huge impact on the game,” Murray commented.

“I didn’t see it (at the time) but I’m hearing things. It was going to be a penalty anyway, so Liz (Dempsey, referee) said. I suppose that is why they allowed the goal.

“Listen, Cork are a super team who got a huge impact off their bench. Unfortunately, we had chances that we didn’t take. Was it six or seven wides down the stretch? You know, those are the chances you need to take if you are going to win an All-Ireland. This is one that is going to haunt us for a while.” 

The manner in which Galway fought back from conceding 1-3 at the beginning of the second period to level the score spoke volumes about this panel’s character and sheer doggedness.

Galway made sure Cork earned the right to become back-to-back champions.

“There is no doubt about that,” Murray said.

“One thing we alsways say about those girls is that they die with their boots on. There are good leaders there and we showed massive leadership in the second half, all game.

“It is hard to put your finger on things until you look back it again. They had us in trouble in different areas but six unanswered points to get us back into the game. We felt we were in a good position but just didn’t take our chances.

“That was the difference as Cork took their chances down the far end.”