Relief and pride as Cork secure shot at redemption in All-Ireland final camogie against Galway

Cork camogie manager Ger Manley admitted there was a sense of relief as well as delight after Cork secured their place in a sixth consecutive All-Ireland senior camogie final with a 2-16 to 0-17 victory over Tipperary in Thurles.

After a season that began with questions over Cork's prospects following the loss of several experienced stars, Manley praised the resilience of his rebuilt squad after they overcame the challenge of Tipp on their home patch at FBD Semple Stadium to set up a third successive final meeting with Galway.

The Rebels held a commanding lead at the break thanks to goals from Amy O'Connor and Millie Condon and although Tipperary mounted a second-half fightback with the aid of a strong wind, Cork held firm to reach another decider.

"We were very good in the first half," said Manley.

"We wanted a good start. We started a bit sluggish but once we got going into the rhythm, I thought we were very good and probably could have been a few more up at half-time.

"We dominated the first half, and I said at half-time that the wind was worth seven or eight points. No matter what anybody says, that wind is worth seven or eight points to a good senior team.

"In the second half, look, we got our targets, we hit our target and we won the match. We finished up with 2-16 and that was our target.

"To give us our credit, we probably could have got one or two more scores, but I thought the work-rate throughout the pitch was phenomenal."

The Cork boss acknowledged there had been doubts earlier in the season as the team adjusted to life after several iconic players moved on.

"People would have doubted us, without a shadow of a doubt," he said.

"We lost so many experienced players, icons really in Cork camogie. 

But look at the players who stepped up. Amy O'Connor, Millie Condon, Meabh Murphy were phenomenal today, Sorcha McCartan was excellent, Emma Murphy, Laura Hayes, I could go on and on.

"Laura Hayes is probably pound for pound the best hurler in the country. When you think of where we came from, with all the injuries we had and still losing players in the last couple of weeks, it's incredible.

"There's a bit of relief but I'm delighted. We had a few sleepless nights along the way and you're always wondering if you're overthinking everything. But this is probably one of the better ones."

Shoulder to the wheel

The victory completed a remarkable turnaround from Cork's difficult start to the year, particularly after an opening league defeat to Galway.

"You have to give these girls credit," Manley said.

"It has been tough. There were a lot of searching nights and a lot of people talking, but everybody put their shoulder to the wheel – the squad, the management team and the county board. Look where we are now."

The two first-half goals proved crucial, with Amy O'Connor weaving her way through for the opening major before Millie Condon finished off another flowing move.

"We had other goal chances too," Manley said.

"But to beat Tipperary here in Thurles is worth a lot. They're playing on their home pitch and Semple Stadium is probably the best grass pitch in the country.

"To come up here and beat them is a serious achievement."

Cork will now take on Galway in the All-Ireland final at Croke Park on August 9. It's a repeat of last year's decider which Galway won, and the 2024 final which Cork claimed.

"It's great now to be back in the final again. We'll enjoy this one but tomorrow we'll be looking ahead.

"We need a better performance to beat Galway in the final. But it's great to get back there and hopefully get a bit of redemption."