Croke Park was the scene of a historic day for Cork camogie yesterday, as the county recorded a rare double victory in both the senior and intermediate All-Ireland finals.

Cork’s senior team edged out Galway with a 1-16 to 0-16 win, securing the All-Ireland title in a nail-biting contest.

Not to be outdone, the Cork intermediate team also claimed All-Ireland glory, narrowly defeating Kilkenny by a single point, 1-11 to 1-10. The match was fiercely contested, with Cork needing a late score to scrape past a resilient Kilkenny side.

Despite the heartbreak of defeat, Kilkenny’s manager Shem Kelly spoke with dignity and pride about his team’s performance. Reflecting on the match, Kelly praised his players for their unwavering effort and determination, even in the face of adversity.

“It’s a very lonely place, and we knew coming into this game that one team was coming out with the Cup, but unfortunately it’s not us today,” Kelly remarked. “In fairness to that group of players, they left everything out there. I don’t think I could have asked any more of them; the way they wore the jersey, they just kept going, even when we were on the back foot.”

Kelly went on to commend his team for their resilience and commitment, noting how they continued to push forward despite the challenges. “They just pulled themselves together, they kept driving on, and the girls that came in to do what they were asked to do, I think they did it and done well. It’s just one of those days, and we’re just on the wrong side of it.”