Méabh Cahalane carries wisdom of final agony and ecstasy 

Cork captain Méabh Cahalane saw her brothers and partner Tim O'Mahony lose two finals in a row with Cork. But she has been there too.

Cork camogie captain Meabh Cahalane amongst a big group of supporters at the 'Meet & Greet' supporter session at the Camogie Grounds at Castle Road, Cork ahead of the All-Ireland final. Picture: Larry Cummins

The Cahalane family needs no introduction. Immersed in the GAA, their travels take them here, there and everywhere.

Tomorrow the road will lead to GAA headquarters on Jones Road. This time, they will be supporting Méabh and her younger sister Orlaith in the All-Ireland senior camogie final.

It is a journey the parents and their seven siblings have become accustomed to.

Only three weeks ago, they watched on as Damien and Jack saw their All-Ireland hurling title hopes dashed by Tipperary.

The hurlers were stopped again in their tracks 12 months previously by Clare.

It can be the one downside to sport.

Méabh insists that these losses shouldn’t define them. The words of wisdom she shared with her two brothers and her partner Tim O’Mahony could only come from someone with the savvy a decade of intercounty involvement brings.

“I’ve said to them over the last week or two, we lost All-Ireland finals in 2021 and 2022. Maybe it took losing those finals to learn how to win and then obviously we’ve won back-to-back against Waterford and Galway.

“Maybe it takes two to win two.

“It is so disappointing after the year had gone so well. You just feel for them because the preparation that goes into it is second to none. The commitment, out five or six nights a week. No different to us. So to come away from Croke Park after that is never an easy day.” 

Further comparisons could be made, and perhaps lessons learned, with both the hurling and camogie teams having easily beaten their opponents at earlier stages in the year.

“The league is a totally different competition, the ground is softer,” the St Finbarr’s defender explains of their 11-point victory over Galway in April.

“Sunday will definitely be more physical. We just see the league as a different time of the year. We were delighted to win the league but since then we’ve really pushed on. Getting back to Croke Park was the main goal. It’s no good getting back there if we don’t get over the line.” 

Her reasoning makes sense. Then again, she’s learned from the best.

When Méabh was announced as captain for 2025, a picture of her dad as winning Cork skipper 30 years ago in a Munster football final did the rounds.

Proving once again, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

So, no surprise that her Castlehaven-native parents Niall and Ailish and her three brothers and three sisters are big influences in her life. And dad is the first person she turns to for sporting advice.

The multiple All-Ireland medalist and second eldest of the clan is a good reader of the game herself as well. She feels versatility is key, especially when Cork come up against defensive outfits who play a sweeper or in some cases sweepers.

The reason being, to try and curtail a high-scoring Cork forward line that up to now has accumulated 15 goals in five championship games.

“You can prepare for teams as much as you want, it is adapting on the day as well. That comes from having leaders around the field, like Laura Treacy is so good at playing the sweeper role. She is the anchor of defence. And Amy Lee in the goal, she can see everything. That helps us to set up and adapt.

“Waterford came with huge intensity in the first half of the semi-final (with sweepers). We upped it in the second half and I thought our forwards were outstanding and really set the standard work-rate wise for us at the backs.

“Ger (Manley) said to us that semi-finals are there to be won. It doesn’t matter how you win, whether that is a complete performance or you come out with a one-point win, you’re in the final.

“We went in at half-time against Waterford and we felt the energy in our play wasn’t there. I think from 1 to 15 and everyone who came on - including Orlaith Mullins scoring 1-2 - that showed we wanted to get back to Croke Park as badly as any other year.

“When you have such a strong group and such a talented group of players, you want to make the most of it while you can. I always say to (sister) Orlaith, she came into the squad in 2022 and since then she’s won two out of three All-Ireland finals. I have to keep reminding her that doesn’t come around that often. You have to make the most of it while you can. But we’re not taking anything for granted, we have to really go after Galway.

“I feel confident if we can go after our own performance we’ll have enough to get over the line.” 

There is an opportunity to make more history with Cork seeking a third consecutive crown.

Hugely regrettable though is another Cahalane sister, Gráinne, has to miss out because of an achilles tendon injury picked up in a training session leading up to the 2024 showdown.

Unfortunate timing, to say the least. And a bitter pill to swallow.

“She’s had a tough year trying to get back. It was a huge injury. She is back at club level which is great. I suppose it kind of shook us all the week before the All-Ireland final. It teaches you that at times you can be going training and can be dreading it because you’re tired or this or that. But one injury can turn everything upside down.

“She’s worked so hard to come back from that injury. It is inspiring for us as well that we are so lucky to be on the pitch all year.

“Hopefully we will make the most of it the next day. We’re going to need absolutely everyone if we are to get over the line,” last year’s successful vice-captain remarks.

“I’m really looking forward to the ball being thrown in. The honour is huge to lead this team out.”