Cork seek end to 12-year wait for league crown

A three-in-a-row of All-Ireland is long-term goal, but Ger Manley's focus is on the first piece of silverware up for grabs.

The Camogie Association and Very are delighted to launch the 2025 Very Camogie Leagues. This year’s competition promises to be an exciting showcase of talent, passion, and dedication to the game. Pictured is Cork's Meabh Cahalane. Pic: James Crombie, Inpho

Cork haven’t won the national league since 2013. While it’s no real concern as they’ve lifted the O’Duffy six times since, the back-to-back All-Ireland senior camogie champions would like to rectify that stat.

Division 1A begins tomorrow for Ger Manley and his charges with neighbours Waterford the visitors to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (2pm).

Down the line, the current standardbearers will have a three-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles in their sights. Wexford were the last team to do so in 2010-2012 but you have to go back to the early 70s for Cork (1970-1973 four-in-a-row).

For now though, the focus is on the first piece of silverware that is up for grabs.

Manley says the appetite is still there.

“The aim is to get back to the All-Ireland final. That’s Cork’s aim every year. It won’t be a success unless we get to the final. It is early days but the girls are putting everything into it. The hunger seems to be there which is great.

“We were back training a bit earlier than we normally would, the girls wanted to come back. We have a good setup and things are going well. We are finding it difficult to get challenge matches but we’ve probably done more hurling than this time last year.” 

Competition for places remains a key ingredient.

“I’ve said it to the girls that the team will be picked on training. Girls returning now will have to get up to the level, fitness wise. We'll have a strong team out against Waterford.

“Libby Coppinger is back from injury, Laura Treacy is there (on the panel), Ashling Thompson and Pamela Mackey. There will be a few missing but everybody is back. They all want to play.

“Cliona Healy and Katrina Mackey are injured - they are the only two out really from the panel.” 

Tipperary are the league champions, Galway crowned before them, which proves Manley’s point that all six teams in 1A are in with a shout.

“We want to win the league. Last year we didn’t not go out to win it. It is a very tough league this year, all the teams are competitive. We want to win every match. We will be a bit rusty because we haven’t had a competitive match together.

“We played Tipp in a challenge a couple of weeks back and we were very even, I thought they (Tipp) were very good.” 

Ultimately, getting back to the All-Ireland final is the objective and they will have last season’s vice-captain Méabh Cahalane as their new leader.

“She is a great captain to have,” Manley enthuses. “She got injured two weeks ago but she will be on the panel for the Waterford game.

“We’ve changed our backroom team as well. Dr Wesley O’Brien is coach and S&C, Gemma O’Connor, Adrian O’Sullivan (former Dublin manager), Seán Crowley, Brian Donovan and Kyle O’Shea have come in.

“Hopefully it will all work out, they are all very focused. Last year we started very slow and the girls were worried. But we were able to find our feet.

“It’s great to be in the Páirc. Hopefully the county board will push it on a bit and they seem to be.” 

CORK: Amy Lee (Na Piarsaigh); Meabh Murphy (Ballinora), Libby Coppinger (St Colum’s); Pamela Mackey (Douglas); Izzy O’Regan (Ballygarvan), Laura Hayes (Killeagh), Hannah Looney (Killeagh); Aoife Healy (Aghada), Ashling Thompson (Milford); Ciara O Sullivan (Newcestown), Kate Wall (St Finbarr’s), Saoirse McCarthy (Courcey Rovers); Clodagh Finn (Fr O’Neill’s), Sorcha McCartan (St Finbarr’s), Orlaith Cahalane (St Finbarr’s).

Capt Méabh Cahalane (St Finbarr’s).

WATERFORD: Noelle Murphy (Gailltír); Rachel Walsh (Butlerstown), Keeley Corbet Barry (De La Salle), Alannah McNulty (De La Salle); Bevin Bowdren (St. Annes), Lorraine Bray (Cappoquin, Capt), Kate Lynch (Gailltír); Tara Power (Tramore), Eimear O’Neill (Brickey Rangers); Beth Carton (De La Salle), Mairead O’Brien (Modeligo), Orla Hickey (Cappoquin); Abby Flynn (De La Salle), Niamh Rockett (St.Anne’s), Maggie Gostl (De La Salle).

Division 1A fixtures, round 1 Saturday 2pm:

Cork v Waterford, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (Liz Dempsey); Kilkenny v Galway, UPMC Nowlan Park (Donnacha O’Callaghan); Tipperary v Dublin, The Ragg (Ray Kelly).

- Read your team-by-team guide to Camogie's top tier in Saturday's Irish Examiner