Glen duo dedicate Cork's All-Ireland to Sarah Kate O'Meara

Cork forward Tara McCarthy was hugely emotional at the full-time whistle and as she reflected on a great day for the Rebels.

A one-point win over Kilkenny at Croke Park will live long in the memory.

"We were really determined to do it and come away out of Croke Park as All-Ireland champions. Since January we have worked as a panel and the management told us we would take it one match at a time. We got the results we needed to get here." 

Winning the league gave the team great belief.

"The management gave us all a chance to play and it’s a tribute to all the girls who played their hearts out that we have won the league and championship, these are fantastic girls and each and every one of them put in massive efforts as we worked towards." 

Having played against the strong wind in the opening half, Cork led by a point at half time and McCarthy said it was a calm dressing room at half time.

"We just got in at half time and the management told us to keep doing what we were doing and to keep working hard and we really had to do just that in the second half as Kilkenny really came at us." 

When Kilkenny went two points in front Cork didn’t panic.

“Against Offaly in the semi-final we were under a bit of pressure but our defence was brilliant and again they were superb, every time Kilkenny came at us they broke them up and drove them back and this was the launching pad for our victory, it is so great for us all today and I’m delighted for all the girls and the management." 

TRIBUTE

Her Glen Rovers club mate Katie Walsh also came on and played a part.

"It's been a tough hard few weeks for Katie and myself and our club Glen Rovers, we lost our young teammate and friend Sarah Kate O'Meara who passed away unexpectedly and we miss her so much. 

"I want to dedicate this win to her and I really hope we did her proud." 

McCarthy and Walsh were wearing wristbands with Sarah Kate's name and jersey number: SK 8.