Let's get behind Cork camogie team as they head to Croker for All-Ireland showdown with Galway

It was fantastic to see a record-breaking attendance on Saturday evening last in Semple Stadium, Thurles, for the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland camogie semi-finals, where Galway, Kilkenny, Cork, and Tipperary served up two exciting contests.

More than 10,000 people came through the turnstiles as the famed Thurles venue played host to the double-header, where reigning champions Galway overcame Kilkenny, and Cork defeated their Munster rivals Tipperary.

Without doubt, the choice of venue was correct.

In previous years, Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, has been the venue for the semi-finals but there is something special about Thurles. Maybe it’s just a Cork thing but we really love going there — the atmosphere is always electric and last Saturday didn’t disappoint. Both games were hugely enjoyable and it is great to see closely contested semi-finals.

Massive test

In previous years, a lot of these games had become one-sided and did nothing to improve the image of the game.

Tipperary, to their credit, put up a huge challenge, especially in the second half, but Cork, with a new-look team, with a lot of younger players in their first year, gave a splendid display and are back in Croke Park on Sunday, August 9.

Kilkenny continue to improve and, while disappointed to have lost out, they are making steady progress and will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with in the not-too-distant future.

Tipperary must be wondering what they must do to reach the final. This was their eighth semi-final defeat in nine seasons, and they have come so close in a few of those encounters, but the wait goes on.

Galway are champions and they showed they are still a force to be reckoned with as they marched on to another final.

Just one defeat this season, in their opening championship clash with Cork, they will be focused on making it back-to-back titles, something they have never achieved.

It was a treat to watch the way the stewards in Semple Stadium opened the gates and allowed the youngsters and, indeed, adults onto the pitch when the second game was over to celebrate with the players — and, in Tipperary’s case, allowed families and supporters to commiserate with their players after a hugely exciting contest where Cork’s opening-half display laid the foundations for a great win.

With the record attendance broken for a semi-final, would it now not be tremendous if the same could happen for the final?

This year, we had so much hope for the hurlers and footballers but, alas, it was not to be.

Now is the time to show we are really the best fans in the country, so it is time to get behind the girls.

There is one last chance to bring an adult All-Ireland title Leeside and Cork need to be heard and seen in Croke Park.

On Saturday last, there was a big Cork crowd in Thurles and again, when Cork overcame Waterford in the last game in the group series in Páirc Uí Rinn, there was a huge attendance.

We now need to keep that support going and continue it by bringing a big Cork crowd to Croke Park.

Many had hoped to be there on hurling final day but why not still make it to Croker and get behind the team in their bid to dethrone the champions?

It is an opportunity for families to take children to the stadium and savour the occasion of an All-Ireland final, so make sure to secure your tickets and let’s get behind the girls now and head to Croke Park and be part of the ‘Rebel roar’ on All-Ireland final Sunday.