Ashling Thompson has credited Cork’s "heart and desire" for driving them to an All-Ireland success with a hugely changed panel compared to last year.
The Rebelettes were the reigning champions heading into Sunday’s meeting with Galway, but were considered unlikely title contenders after 13 players left the panel.
A loss to Wexford and two to Galway, including one in the final, during the national league confirmed the impression that Cork were in rebuilding mode.
But a stirring win over Kilkenny in the semi-final and a thoroughly controlled display on All-Ireland final day resulted in Cork’s 26th All-Ireland camogie title.
Team captain Thompson believes Cork peaked at the right time.
Speaking to Marty Morrissey at last night’s victory banquet, she said: “We have a habit of leaving it late. We peaked at the right time and the victory we had over Kilkenny really proved what kind of team we were. We knew today that if we brought the same hunger, stepped it up 20%, that we were coming home with the victory.“
“I never doubted the girls, even though many people did. We have great desire and heart and that’s why we are where we are today.”
Liberty/RTÉ Player of the Match Orla Cotter said that the team bonded during the year and an emphasis on work-rate underpinned the win over Galway.
“We had ups and downs throughout the year. We lost to Wexford and Galway in our League campaign. We learned a lot from those losses. We had a few different training camps, we were down in Spike Island for a night and that really gelled us together. Work-rate was our key word throughout the year and that stood to us today.”
Cork’s win means they equal Dublin at the top of the camogie roll of honour.
Even more remarkably, both Rena Buckley and Briege Corkery will contest the Ladies’ Football final in two weeks’ time with both seeking their 16th title in both codes.
