Gala All Ireland Senior Camogie Final – Cork v Kilkenny

Cork secured their 24th Gala All Ireland senior title today in Croke Park with a dogged performance overcoming Ann Downey’s Kilkenny on a scoreline of 0-15 to 0-7. Cork were in front by three points at the break, giving the Black and Amber a real chance. But, Cork led by the outstanding Aoife Murray proved to be unbeatable. Several times the Cork custodian denied Kilkenny time and time again. And with Cathriona Foley outstanding at full back, Kilkenny couldn’t get the scores that mattered. Rachel Moloney top scored for the Rebels with seven points.

Team News

Champions Cork make one change ahead of Sunday’s Gala All Ireland senior camogie championship final against Kilkenny in Croke Park (2.45pm). Eimear O’Sullivan from the Ballinhassig club replaces Emer Dillon at wing-forward. Kilkenny, back in their first final since 2001, are unchanged from their All Ireland semi-final win over Galway.

Cork: A Murray; J O’Callaghan, C Foley, R Buckley; J Duffy, M O’Connor, S Hayes; B Corkery, O Cotter; E O’Sullivan, G O’Connor, U O’Donoghue; S Burns, E O’Farrell, R Moloney.

Kilkenny: C Ryan; L Fennelly, C Doherty, J Frisby; L Lyng, A Butler, E Aylward; C Dormer, A Dalton (Capt); T Muldowney, K Power, E Keane; M Quilty, D Gaule, A Neary.

Match Preview

Cork are the form team in this novel pairing, having topped their group. Their midfield engine of Briege Corkery and Orla Cotter will prove crucial and if this young Kilkenny side is to cause a shock they will have to at least break even here.

Don’t rule out the Cats though. They are not concerned about Rebel tradition or history and following their hurling victory last Sunday, momentum will be high. Along with their U21’s they will bring big support.

Verdict: Cork

All-Ireland Final Referee confirmed

Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael has announced the details of their referee appointments for the forthcoming Gala All Ireland senior and junior camogie finals which will take place in Croke Park on Sunday, September 13.

The senior final between Cork (holders) and Kilkenny will be under the control of Una Kearney who is a member of the St Brenda’s Ballymacnab club in Armagh. Una, a teacher by profession, previously took charge of the All Ireland senior final in 2004, and she also handled the junior finals of 2005 and 2008. Una is Chairperson of the National Referees Committee and has been officiating since 1999. Una’s umpires are Paula McGuigan, Conor Dodd, Bebe Devlin and Ann O’Hare. The line umpires are John Morrissey (standby referee) and Ciarán Quigley, while Karl O’Brien and Eadhmonn MacSuibhne are the fourth and fifth officials.

Following the announcement Camogie Association President Joan O’Flynn said,

“Congratulations to Una Kearney and Pat Walsh on the achievement of being selected as referees for this year’s Gala All Ireland senior and junior camogie championships finals in Croke Park. Refereeing is a vital part of our sport and in any game the referee’s performance is as important as the players. For any referee, the opportunity to be in charge of the whistle on All Ireland Final day is a career highlight. That it should fall to two Armagh referees is a unique coincidence.

“Camogie All Ireland Final Day showcases the skill, speed and athleticism of our sport. I am looking forward to two very competitiveness finals with Kilkenny hoping to spoil Cork’s party in the senior final and Waterford looking to deny Offaly the silverware in their first ever trip to Croke Park. The club and family base of camogie, as part of the Gaelic Games community, will also be much in evidence. I am delighted that this year the All Ireland programme will again unite the camogie and hurling families. Kilkenny in particular will have an interest in the Gala senior camogie and the Bord Gáis U21 hurling finals.”

The junior camogie final is at 12.45pm, senior camogie final at 2.45pm while the U21 hurling final takes place at 4.30pm.

Camogie captains meet in Croke Park ahead of Gala All-Ireland Finals

Press Release

8th September 2009

The Gala All Ireland Junior and Senior Camogie Championship Finals take centre stage in Croke Park Sunday next 13th September. The captains and managers of the competing counties Offaly, Waterford, Cork and Kilkenny joined Joan O’Flynn President of the Camogie Association and Gary Desmond CEO of Gala today in Croke Park.

Offaly play Waterford in the junior final while Cork meet Kilkenny in the senior decider. Marion Crean captains Offaly for the second year in a row. Waterford are led by Sally O’Grady. Amanda O’Regan is the Cork supremo while Ann Dalton leads Kilkenny.

Cork, appearing in their eighth successive final, will be looking to put back-to-back titles together. They are bidding for their 24th All Ireland senior title bringing them to within two titles of Dublin who top the table with 26 All Ireland Senior Camogie titles. This year the Rebels won all of their three games in the round robin stage of the Championship.

Cork Captain Amanda O’Regan is in confident mood ahead of Sunday’s clash, “Training has gone well and the competition for places is very strong,” she said. “But, we know Kilkenny will be very hungry, they are a young team coming through.”

Kilkenny last contested the All Ireland in 2001 when they fell to Tipperary. Their most recent victory was in 1995 when today’s manager Ann Downey came head to head with current Cork boss Denise Cronin.

Kilkenny Captain Ann Dalton is excited to be back in this year’s final: “It is the first All Ireland final for many of our players and we have worked hard. It was great to see the hurlers do the four-in-a-row on Sunday, it would be massive if we could bring another cup for the second week in succession.”

Offaly will be hoping to bring a first title to the Faithful County while Waterford are appearing in their first All Ireland junior final.

Joan O’Flynn President said, “Every Camogie player’s dream is to win an All Ireland in Croke Park. So in next Sunday’s Gala All Ireland finals dreams will come true in the biggest day in the sporting lives of the players of Cork and Kilkenny, Waterford and Offaly.

“The All Ireland finals are the showcase of Camogie. The skill, speed, athleticism and artistry of the game’s finest players will be on display. The club and family base of Camogie, as part of the Gaelic Games community, will be much in evidence.

“I am delighted that this year’s All Ireland programme continues to unite the Camogie and hurling families when the All Ireland 21 hurling title will also to be decided. A great day of action is in prospect.”

This is the fourth year of Gala’s sponsorship of the Camogie Championship and Gala CEO, Gary Desmond, is delighted to be involved again this year.

“In Gala’s fourth year partnering the Camogie Association, we are thrilled with how the relationship has developed. As an Irish company, with over 200 stores, we are proud to be the title sponsors of this iconic sport’s Championships.

“The Gala All-Ireland Senior and Junior Championship Finals are the pinnacle of the Camogie season. Cork, Kilkenny, Offaly and Waterford have all showed tremendous talent, spirit and determination to get this far. On behalf of Gala, I would like to wish Cork’s Amanda O’Regan, Ann Dalton from Kilkenny, Marion Crean of Offaly and Waterford’s Sally O’Grady the best of luck on Sunday. We’re all looking forward to a thrilling day of Irish sporting action.”

For more information and highlights from the Gala All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship log on to www.Camogie.ie or contact Therese O’Callaghan at pr@camogie.ie, 01-8364619 or 087 9030755

Gala Camogie All Ireland Senior Championship Final

Cork (holders) v Kilkenny 2.45pm **Live on RTÉ**

Referee: Úna Kearney, Armagh

Gala Camogie All Ireland Junior Championship Final

Offaly v Waterford 12.45pm **Live on RTÉ**

Pat Walsh, Armagh

Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U21 All Ireland Championship Final

Kilkenny v Clare 4.30pm **Live on TG4**

Ticket information

Tickets can be purchased from the GAA Ticket Office – Phone: 01 8717400 or online: http://tickets.gaa.ie

Admission Prices

* Adults – €30

* Students & OAP – €10

* Juvenile – €5

Group Passes

* See www.camogie.ie for group pass application form

* All Group Passes are for the Cusack Stand only

* €5 per child. One adult per 10 juveniles free of charge

There will be three selling points on Sunday:

GAA Ticket Shop at 53A Dorset St Lower

GAA Ticket Shop on North Circular Road – oppsite Gill’s Pub

GAA Ticket Outlet at junction of Ballybough Road and Clonliffe Road.

All will be open from 10am on match day and close at 4.30pm.