Galway hold off Cork to clinch All-Ireland camogie crown

The Rebels were denied a three-in-a-row after Hannah Looney was dismissed in the first half. 

Galway captain Carrie Dolan lifts the O'Duffy Cup. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Galway 1-14 Cork 1-13 

No Cork three-in-a-row. The 14 women in red knocked out cold by Galway’s aggression.

A fifth and famous All-Ireland for the westerners. None of the previous four were as sweet as this. Firm underdogs arriving in, for the second final in-a-row they stood in Cork’s face and refused to budge. Unable to see the job through 12 months ago, they did on this occasion, albeit just.

Playing the entire second half with a woman extra following Hannah Looney’s straight red in first-half injury, Galway’s lead was five-strong on 51 minutes.

Cork, led by Laura Treacy’s doggedness and Saoirse McCarthy’s sweet freetaking, brought the margin back to a score. On the hour mark, they were level. Ashling Thompson’s delivery was snapped and buried by Orlaith Cahalane. Cork's voice was finally found.

Despite five minutes of second-half injury time being played, this final of ferocious contact gave the crowd of 28,795 just one more score. That score came in the third minute of injury-time, captain Carrie Dolan getting herself up the steps when converting a free dripping in difficult out on the Cusack Stand sideline. Cork never managed a single equalising attempt thereafter.

Aggression was the central theme in the Galway gameplan. Always has been when the opposition wear red. Stop the Cork running game at the start line. Physicality at source to prevent possession snapped and short passes played. Aggression stifling athleticism.

Within the opening eight minutes, Amy O’Connor and Hannah Looney spent time on the deck receiving treatment. Orlaith Cahalane lay stretched just past the quarter hour mark. Galway were tackling right on the edge. Cork were sore and unsettled for it.

At times, Galway went past the edge. Aoife Donohue saw yellow for her goal-preventing pull across Amy O’Connor on 11 minutes. The consequent penalty, somewhat surprisingly struck by Katrina Mackey, was saved by Sarah Healy.

Amy O’Connor did convert the resultant ‘45 for a 0-3 to 0-2 Cork lead, but the next five minutes saw the westerners outgun their opponents 1-2 to 0-1 for a three-point lead. The goal, finished by final debutant Mairead Dillon, was assisted by Donohue. The latter, as evidenced by the earlier mentioned yellow steps from the Galway goal, was everywhere. Of Galway’s first three points, Donohue supplied two and won the free for the other.

Now, back to the physicality. Justin Heffernan’s whistle was broken. Next to nothing was being pulled. That was until Galway’s aggression unnerved Cork to such an extent that Cork’s nerve snapped.

First, the context before we arrive at the red. Ashling Thompson played a ground pass to Saoirse McCarthy. The Cork half-forward was swallowed robustly whole by Derval Higgins, Ailish O’Reilly, and Siobhan Gardiner. Possession broke to Donohue, Thompson fouled her. Carrie Dolan converted and Galway were five in front. 1-8 to 0-6.

Cork's Amy O’Connor tackles Aoife Donohue of Galway. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady

Two minutes later and in the same area in front of the Hogan Stand, Katrina Mackey was the latest in red to be swallowed. She handpassed to Laura Hayes. Such was the pressure on the half-back, she dropped possession out over the sideline. Niamh Mallon clinched her fist in pumped delight.

Before the sideline was taken, red mist. Hannah Looney raised her fist to Carrie Dolan’s helmet. Contact was made. The Cork midfielder had boxed her and was sent off for the offence.

Cork down to 14 and five down at the break.

To their credit, they got back up off the canvas. They almost saw out the 12 rounds. Almost. The three-in-a-row has again failed. The eighth time since 1972.

A third All-Ireland on Cathal Murray’s watch. He overtakes Tony Ward as the county’s most successful ever manager. Weeks after he masterminded All-Ireland U23 glory over Ger Manley’s youngster, he struck physical genius for a second time here.

The maroon flag stands proud atop camogie’s summit. They’ve once again proven they have Cork’s number.

Scorers for Galway: C Dolan (0-7, 0-7 frees); M Dillon (1-0); A O’Reilly (0-3); A Donohue (0-2); C Kelly, N Mallon (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cork: S McCarthy (0-4, 0-4 frees), O Cahalane (1-0); A O’Connor (0-3, 0-2 frees, 0-1 ‘45); A Thompson, E Murphy (0-2); H Looney, L Hayes (0-1 each).

Galway: Sarah Healy; Shauna Healy, R Black, R Hanniffy; S Gardiner, C Hickey, D Higgins; AM Starr, O Rabbitte; N Mallon, A O’Reilly, A Donohue; C Kelly, C Dolan, M Dillon.

Subs: S Rabbitte for Kelly (40); J Hughes for O Rabbitte (53); E Helebert for Hickey (59, inj); A Hesnan for Dillon (61) Cork: A Lee; L Coppinger, P Mackey, M Cahalane; A Healy, L Treacy, L Hayes; H Looney, A Thompson; E Murphy, A O’Connor, S McCarthy; K Mackey, S McCartan, O Cahalane.

Subs: C Finn for Mackey (37); O Mullins for McCartan (40); C Healy for O’Connor (48); M Murphy for A Healy (56); K Wall for E Murphy (59) Referee: J Heffernan (Wexford).