Cork end 12-year wait as they ease past Galway to win Camogie Division 1A title

Cork turn their attention to the Munster championship against Clare in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg next Sunday ahead of the Clare v Cork SHC.

Sun, 13 Apr, 2025 - 16:15

Therese O’Callaghan FBD Semple Stadium

Very Camogie Division 1A final: Cork 0-21 Galway 0-10

Surprisingly it was one-way traffic as back-to-back All-Ireland senior champions Cork ended their 12-year wait for a national camogie league title at a showery FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday, this Division 1A final was decided long before the final whistle.

It was another strong performance from Ger Manley’s charges with competition for places playing a big role in the outcome.

They were forced into two late changes with 2024 Player of the Year Laura Hayes ruled out with a calf injury and she was replaced by Amy O’Connor while Emma Murphy came in for Katrina Mackey who got injured in the warm up.

The alterations didn’t affect them whatsoever.

For twins Katrina and Pamela Mackey and Ashling Thompson it is a second league medal as they are survivors from the 2013 victory over Wexford.

Thompson, at 35-years-of-age, was player of the match, scoring three fabulous points.

And for Libby Coppinger, Aoife Healy and Hannah Looney who all played against Galway in the Division 2 ladies football final on Saturday, the day ended in celebration.

Niamh Mallon started for Galway instead of the injured Jennifer Hughes but overall the westerners endured a tough afternoon.

Cork, who won the toss and elected to play into the breeze, were first on the scoreboard through Clodagh Finn in the third minute. Soon afterwards Galway captain and free-taker Carrie Dolan levelled matters.

A goal chance came Cork’s way but Dervla Higgins’ block denied Finn in the fifth minute.

Once Cork got into their stride they were hard to stop.

The next four points came their way from Emma Murphy twice, a long-range effort from Ashling Thompson and an Amy O’Connor free to open up a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after the first quarter.

Inaccuracy costing Galway.

Dolan popped over another two frees for Galway, but when Thompson landed her second point, Cork were ahead by double scores, 0-6 to 0-3. Orlaith Cahalane appeared to score a point for Cork but the umpires weren’t convinced and waved wide.

Galway created a goal opportunity six minutes from the break but goalkeeper Amy Lee prevented Ailish O’Reilly from getting her ground shot away. Defensively the Rebels did their job with little fuss.

Cork closed out the half with a trio of points in quick succession from Sorcha McCartan, Amy O’Connor free and Finn. Dolan struck her fourth free - the only Galway scorer in the first half - left her side 0-4 to 0-9 behind at the break.

At the start of the second half, Higgins was called up again to stop an Amy O’Connor run on goal after she was put through by Hannah Looney. It was evident there was going to be no let up.

While Saoirse McCarthy and Dolan exchanged points from play, Cork continued to dominate. Galway, in the meantime, introduced three subs in one fell swoop. Another trio of points increased the advantage to eight points.

Galway goalkeeper Sarah Healy sent over a free from distance at the end of the third quarter to leave it 0-13 to 0-6.

The fourth quarter saw Cork tag on another eight points to Galway’s four.

And there is no disputing the champions are going to be hard to beat going forward.

Cork turn their attention to the Munster championship against Clare in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg next Sunday ahead of the Clare/Cork SHC.

Scorers for Cork: A O’Connor (0-2 frees) and S McCarthy (0-1 free) (0-4 each), S McCartan, E Murphy and A Thompson (0-3 each), C Finn (0-2), H Looney and M Condon (0-1 each).

Scorers for Galway: C Dolan (0-6, 0-5 frees), Sarah Healy (free), C Hickey, N Niland and S Rabbitte (0-1 each).

CORK: A Lee; P Mackey, L Coppinger, M Murphy; M Cahalane (Capt), L Treacy, A Healy; A Thompson, H Looney; A O’Connor, S McCarthy, S McCartan; C Finn, E Murphy, O Cahalane.

Subs: C Healy for C Finn (45), A Fitzgerald for H Looney (51), K Wall for E Murphy (56), R Harty for A Healy (57), M Condon for A O’Connor (60), O Mullins for O Cahalane (63).

GALWAY: Sarah Healy; Shauna Healy, D Higgins, R Hanniffy; E Helebert, O Rabbitte, C Hickey; AM Starr, M Dillon; Á Keane, C Dolan (Capt), N Mallon; A Donohue, A O’Reilly, C Kelly.

Subs: A Hesnan for AM Starr, R Black for E Helebert, S Rabbitte for C Kelly (all 39), A Kelly for A O’Reilly, N Niland for N Mallon (both 48), S Gardiner for A Donohue (52), A Lynskey for M Dillon (57).

Referee: Gavin Donegan (Dublin).