Cork camogie trio land latest Muskerry GAA awards following All-Ireland successes

The latest EPH Controls/Muskerry GAA sports award winners are Clíona Healy, Méabh Murphy and Emma Flanagan.

The trio played significant roles as Cork camogie senior and intermediate teams claimed All-Ireland glory in August at Croke Park.

Healy, from Aghabullogue, and Murphy of Ballinora, were key figures on Ger Manley’s team as Cork would go on and retain the O’Duffy trophy. The Rebels defeated Galway in the final on a scoreline of 1-16 to 0-16 with Healy lining out at wing-forward, chipping over a point, while Murphy was outstanding in her corner-back position not just in the final but throughout the season.

Emma Flanagan received the Player of the Match award after Cork’s All-Ireland Intermediate final win over Kilkenny. The Aghabullogue defender also was nominated for Player of the Year.

The latest function took place at the Lee Valley Golf and Country Club in Ovens recently before a large crowd.

For Clíona, she has carried on from where she left off last year and is now one of the first names on the team sheet.

“To win back-to-back All-Irelands is a hard thing to do,” Healy says.

“We are just delighted to replicate what we did the previous year and I suppose step it up another level. I was very honoured to have won this Muskerry GAA award last year and to win another award this year is brilliant. There are a lot of prestigious players who have gotten it before so I am thrilled and it’s nice to win one too with my clubmate Emma Flanagan.

“The target was on our back as a team this year and that can be difficult, but we knew that it was going to be a long road and it was a case of digging in. We got the work done early on and thankfully it paid off.” 

Méabh put in a sterling display in her corner-back position in this year’s final. It was extra special considering she didn’t start in the 2023 decider despite playing every championship game until the showdown.

“It means a lot to the club for me to win this award,” the Ballinora star said.

“I really enjoyed the year to be honest. It was a great journey to be on. The final was definitely the biggest challenge but we managed to win back-to-back. It was different from last year. Every team was trying to chase us and beat us this year, so it’s a big achievement for us.

“It was a relief for the team. I really enjoyed the year. I played every game and when you get the opportunity to play for Cork, you just have to savour it and do your best. We will go back training in January and look at the goals for the year. It’s back to the drawing board and starting from scratch, but the goal is always to win an All-Ireland.” 

While this is Clíona and Méabh’s second Muskerry GAA Award in just under 12 months, it’s Emma’s first time picking up an award and she couldn’t hide her delight after helping Donie Daly’s Cork to All-Ireland Intermediate success. The Rebels won’t be able to defend their title in 2025 due to second teams now unable to participate in the All-Ireland Intermediate championship.

“It’s great to win an All-Ireland but it’s also nice to get a local award," Flanagan says.

"They are just as important and it’s great for the club and my family. It puts camogie on the map too. It’s lovely to be winning the awards with Cork but these ones are always that extra special and it puts Aghabullogue camogie in the spotlight.

“When the Aghabullogue youngsters see us playing for Cork, it makes them believe that they can do it too. When I was 13 years of age, I was playing Junior camogie as we didn’t have the numbers, now we have three adult teams.

“To win an All-Ireland with Cork is just unbelievable. Going into the final, we knew it would be one of the last chances of wearing the Cork jersey due to the change that the camogie association have made. I think it’s a step in the wrong direction not allowing us back into the All-Ireland Intermediate championship. It’s a stepping stone for players and now that won't be there.” Flanagan concluded.