'We want to make those wrongs right': Cork fired up for camogie final against Galway

For the third consecutive year, Cork will play Galway in the All-Ireland camogie final

Despite suffering a hamstring injury during the week, Ashling Thompson lined out for Cork in the All-Ireland camogie semi-final against Tipperary. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

After negotiating a hard-fought semi-final against Tipperary in FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday, another Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship final awaits Cork in a fortnight.

It will be the third successive year they meet Galway in the decider.

The result stands at one win apiece.

A Katrina Mackey goal was the difference in 2024.

A Carrie Dolan converted free was the difference 12 months ago.

Multiple All-Star Ashling Thompson is seeking a seventh All-Ireland medal with the Rebels, after the 36-year-old claimed her first in 2014.

She says they can’t wait to get back to Croke Park.

“It is going to be massive, Galway have really made their mark. In my entire career we’ve had trouble when coming up against Galway but we’re going to be fired up for that day. We felt we left a lot on that pitch in last August’s final and that has been at the back of our minds going into this year.

“Obviously throughout the season you want to focus on what is in front of you but there is always going to be on your mind that we left too much on that pitch and we want to make those wrongs right, and hopefully on the August 9th we’ll answer every question that is asked of us.” 

Confident too that the new blood on the team will embrace the occasion, after Ger Manley and his management team had to replace one fifth of last season’s starting team.

“A lot of those young girls that have come in have been on the fringes for the last few years, they’ve played on adult teams at inter-county level. They’ve been there on the big day, they’ve won intermediate championships so they know the story, they are well able going in, in two weeks’ time.

“A lot of them have had an U23 competition, they’ve won that out. We’ve really gelled as a unit and created a massive unity amongst ourselves and they’ve answered the questions that have been thrown at us before the championship kicked off. Three wins out of three in the group, and another one today. Hopefully we can gather as much of an advantage as possible going into the final.” 

This year the Milford star had to fight back from a serious elbow injury sustained in March that required surgery. She made a triumphant return for the final group game against Waterford and got on the scoreboard after she lined out at centre-forward.

However, she was back at her more familiar role at centre-field on Saturday where she formed a dynamic alliance with Laura Hayes.

This, despite suffering a hamstring tear during the week that saw her take to the field with her thigh heavily strapped.

“Laura and I haven’t had much time to create that partnership because Millie Condon has been great for us all year in midfield, what a player just to transition into the forward line and do what she needed to do today. You wouldn’t have to ask Millie twice to do something. So, it gave me the opportunity to come back in and create that partnership with Laura. We’re a bit like chalk and cheese at times, but that works.

“I picked up the injury on Tuesday night at training and had to play it by ear. I said I’d chance it and manage it, and I did. Thankfully it didn’t get any worse, but I was glad to get the call to come off. I'll have to manage it now for the next two weeks.”