Kilkenny star Claire Phelan says it is like a “dream come true” to have been crowned All-Ireland champions for 2020.
Speaking after the game, Phelan said: “We’ve been waiting for this the last few years now and it just all came together today. The work rate was unbelievable from everyone and I think that got us over the line.”
The Lisdowney clubwoman also paid tribute to Galway who relinquished their crown to Brian Dowling’s side on Saturday night in Croke Park.
“Galway are a class act. They have good hurlers and they’re well able to play,” said Phelan.
Phelan believes that regrouping after the Galway goal was the key to giving themselves the best chance of winning the game.
“The goal was a sucker punch, but we regrouped and stayed going after that. It was just about continuing with what we were doing up to that point.”
The full-back believes the performance of the forwards was exceptional considering the conditions that the game was played in.
“The forwards were incredible today. They worked like dogs, the likes of Aoife Doyle and Miriam Walsh worked so hard and that was crucial for us.”