In this week's episode of Camogie Extra, former Dublin manager Adrian O'Sullivan and two-time Galway All-Star Anne Marie Hayes join Marie Crowe and Orla Keeling to react to the All-Ireland semi-finals.
Former Dublin manager Adrian O'Sullivan shares his insights and analysis on Galway overcoming Tipperary and Cork cruising to the final.
He highlights Cork's retention of their sidelines as "incredible".
"Their sidelines are incredible. Their ball retention from their sidelines are unreal.
"They never lose possession, it's just movement, it’s like the Limerick sideline, Liam Cronin has it brought in, they move, they play the golf stroke, they always retain possession.
While he believes that Tipperary will interpret their semi-final loss as a 'missed opportunity' and points to the final minutes of the contest.
"Emer McGrath was brilliant for Tipperary. But if they could go and play the last play again, would she shoot for goal from the sideline?
"We always say to forwards to play the percentages.
"If it goes over it is one of the greatest scores of all time and you’ve just won an all-ireland semi final for your county. But it is a low percentage shot even for a player of the talent like Emer McGrath.
He offers an alternative solution to see out the final minutes of the semi-final.
"I just felt with the way the game was going if they could have just retained possession from that sideline and drawn the free, I think Liz (Dempsey) would have given the free in those circumstances or they would have got the shot away.
"I just feel like they could have managed that moment better.
"If Cork were in that situation, they wouldn’t have shot they would have worked it, and I think they’ll regret that.
While Hayes emphasises consistency as one of the key indicators for the rebels dominance this season, dismantling their competitiors by at least 12 points or more during 2024.
"I think consistency is a huge thing.
"For the last 10 years they have played the same way
When examining the starting teams from the 2021 final, Hayes highlights Cork's retention of their starters "10 out of the 15 starting team, and I am sure there is people involved in the panel, so Cork have 10 of the 15 still involved from 2021.
"Galway only have six out of the starting 15, and as I said they might have more on the panel"
"But they (Cork) have the consistency of those players, playing the same plan every time they go out.
"Their process is exactly the same, so they can stick to that.
"They’ve played the exact same way, so every day they go out they’re not changing the game plan up it’s the same thing that they are doing everyday that they go out."
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Listen to the RTÉ GAA Podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow the All-Ireland camogie championships via our brand new podcast 'Camogie Extra'. Your go-to source for all things camogie as we deliver the latest news and updates from the 2024 championship. Join Marie Crowe, Orla Keeling plus a selection of guests every week as they dive into match previews, post-game analysis, and more.
