A year on and back in Croker but a lot has changed for this Cork camogie side

Here we go again.  We are Croke Park bound on Sunday.

Despite all the doubts and worry that things were not going their way Cork are 48 hours away from another All-Ireland senior camogie final appearance. 

Twelve months have flown by since we were in Croke Park, but with a lot of new faces and changes to the panel we go again to savour that special atmosphere that only All-Ireland final day can bring. 

Everyone is ready to hit the road.

Be it by rail, car or bus, some are already on their way with several Cork clubs heading to participating in the Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Sevens on Saturday. 

All-Ireland final days in all codes are special, and the atmosphere generated by the supporters can be felt all over the ground.

Hopefully, Cork will have a big following when they run out on the pitch at 4.15pm on Sunday.

It’s a day that gives families an opportunity to savour the Croke Park atmosphere without the hassle of grappling for tickets as was the case for the hurling and football finals this year.

For years, the camogie championship has been dominated by the big names from the 1930s right through to the 1960s. Dublin, Cork and Antrim were the major forces early on.

Wexford took two titles in 1968, and 1969 and then a golden era for Cork from 1970 to 1973, before a new force emerged as Kilkenny took centre stage for a while and were dominant before Cork returned to the top.

In between, Antrim and Dublin took a title and again Cork and Kilkenny dominated until Tipperary burst on the scene to take their first title and they proceeded to dominate annexing five titles in six years. 

Finally, Cork bounced back and regained control but we failed to make it three in a row and Wexford seized their chance to grab the title. 

Missed opportunity

Many fancied Kilkenny to return to the big stage after huge underage success but it didn’t happen. 

Wexford had their reign of dominance. Galway took a title in between in 2013.

The Leesiders bounced back to make it back-to-back wins in 2014 and 2015, but were stopped making it three in a row by Kilkenny in 2016.

Back we came in 2017 and defeated Kilkenny with a last-gasp winner. It was the same story in 2018, again a last-second winner. 

Cork had to look on in 2019 as Kilkenny overcame Galway and again we sat it out in 2020 as Galway reversed that result. 

The Rebels lost consecutive finals in 2021 to Galway and 2022 to Kilkenny. 

2023 and 2024 were contrasting finals as Cork defeated Waterford comprehensively in 2023, but only a goal separated Cork from Galway in 2024. Last year was heartbreak for Cork.

We looked to be heading for a draw, but a last-minute free gave Carrie Dolan an opportunity to be the hero and she did it with a superbly struck effort to give Galway the title.

Galway have never retained the All-Ireland so can they do it on Sunday? Cork might have a lot of new players in their team, but to date, they have shown they are able for the task.

Just one good 60 minutes is needed to get over the line. Let’s hope for a good result as they bid for All-Ireland title number 31.

Best of luck to Ger Manley and the girls.