Cork Camogie: Ger Manley hails players' phenomenal work-rate in Galway upset

That’s more like it is probably the easiest way to sum up Cork’s win over Galway in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championship at Athenry last Saturday.

After league and Munster campaigns that fell below the high standards they expect of themselves, they bounced back with a good win over the current All-Ireland champions by 0-18 to 1-8.

While no one will be getting carried away and Galway won’t be overly concerned either, it was an important win for the Rebels.

They needed to remind others they haven’t gone away, but more importantly, they needed to remind themselves that they are still a quality side and on their day can beat anyone.

It’s not too often Cork have won in Galway, and it was current manager, Ger Manley’s first win there.

But as delighted as Manley was with the win, he was more delighted with the performance and the work rate of his side.

“Look, we're delighted, I know it's only one game, but for us it's a good start to the campaign,” said Manley.

It's my first time winning Galway in five years. I've not had a win here before. I don't know if we've ever won up here.

“We've been going well in training, but that doesn't always transfer onto the pitch. To be fair, it was some performance from the players, and to give them their credit, they drove it on themselves.

“You can see today, they were driven on the pitch, and we had a few new girls out there, and I thought they did very well, all the young players did well. I think it was a deserved win, but there is still plenty of work to do in the coming weeks.”

The work-rate of Cork was impressive from start to finish, and Manley said they have been working on that since the Munster championship loss to Tipperary, six weeks ago.

“Sean (Crowley), James (Nyhan), and Gemma (O’Connor), and the others have been driving that in the last couple of weeks.

“We also had players coming back, Amy O'Connor made a big difference. Laura Hayes was phenomenal, Milly Condon, Saoirse McCarthy, and Libby Coppinger was outstanding at full-back.

“Meabh Murphy, making her first appearance here for us at centre-back, led by example, while Aisling Egan was excellent in her first championship game. She was very solid and difficult to get past.

“At this level, that kind of work-rate is essential. You have to work hard to win matches, and I thought our physicality, tackling, and overall intensity were very good.

“It is never easy against Galway. They are an exceptionally good team, and they are not going away, but neither are we.”

STILL STANDING

Some people may have been writing Cork off after the league, but this was just a reminder they're still in the reckoning.

"We're not guaranteed anything, it's one performance. We must back it up next week against Tipperary, but it gives us a bit of confidence.

Our confidence was probably a bit low there after the league and stuff. 

"I think summertime suits us a bit better. Look at Orlaith Cahalane there today, her touch and stuff. She won vital ball there in the second half, creating goal chances. I think with this team, they have been like that for the last couple of years. Championship has been their goal, and it's our focus now.

“We will get back at it in training during the week and concentrate on the Tipp game, and we will need to put in another big performance if we are to have any chance of beating them.”