Cork’s long-awaited drought has finally ended as they claimed victory in the 2021 Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship at Croke Park.

Cork hadn’t won the championship since 2018 and had lost in the final over the last two seasons. However, they were determined to put that right, and they did.

Led by an impressive group of players, including Aoife Healy, Libby Coppinger, Katrina Mackey, and Hannah Looney, Cork dominated the game from start to finish. Captain Amy O’Connor was an influential figure, leading the team by example, and scoring three goals in the first five minutes of the second half to secure the victory.

 In a low-scoring start, Chloe Sigerson doubled Cork’s lead with a long-distance free, before O’Connor landed two more points to make it 0-4 to no score.

Waterford’s Beth Carton fired over a point from a distance to make it a three-point game, but Cork continued to dominate. Sorcha McCartan batted the ball to the back of the net to make it 1-7 to 0-1, before Carton landed another free for Waterford. However, the Rebels were too strong, and they led 1-9 to 0-3 at half-time, thanks to O’Connor’s two goals.

Cork got off to a perfect start in the second half, with Fiona Keating bursting forward and playing O’Connor in to raise Cork’s second green flag. Within a minute, O’Connor had her second goal, this time set up by Mackey, and from the restart, Mackey regained possession and played in O’Connor to complete her hat-trick. With the score at 4-9 to 0-3, it was game over, and Cork emerged victorious.

The final score was 5-11 to 0-7, with Orla Cronin playing a sublime ball to Fiona Keating for the fifth goal. Cork’s victory was a testament to their skill, determination, and teamwork, and they celebrated the win in style.

Scorers for Cork: A O’Connor 3-7 (0-5 f), S McCartan 1-1, F Keating 1-0, K Mackey 0-2, C Sigerson (f), H Looney, O Cahalane 0-1 each.

Waterford: B Carton 0-7 (0-6 f), N Rockett, L Forrest 0-1 each.

CORK: A Lee (Na Piarsaigh); L Hayes (St Catherine’s), L Coppinger (St Colums), P Mackey (Douglas); M Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), L Treacy (Killeagh), I O’Regan (Ballygarvan); S McCarthy (Courcey Rovers), A Healy (Aghada); C Sigerson (Killeagh), F Keating (Courcey Rovers), H Looney (Killeagh); A O’Connor (St Vincent’s), K Mackey (Douglas), S McCartan (St Finbarr’s).

Subs: C Healy (Aghabullogue) for L Hayes (44), O Cronin (Enniskeane) for S McCartan (46), A Thompson (Milford) for S McCarthy (50), O Cahalane (St Finbarr’s) for C Sigerson (52), M Murphy (Ballinora) for P Mackey (53).

WATERFORD: B O’Regan; V Falconer, L Forrest, K Lynch; K Corbett Barry, C Carroll, M Power; O Hickey, A Flynn; M O’Brien, B Carton, L Bray; A Fitzgerald, N Rockett, R Walsh.

Subs: I Heffernan for V Falconer (3 inj), B Bowdren for M Power (ht), T Power for M O’Brien (40), C Griffin for C Carroll (42), S Fitzgerald for K Lynch (56).

Referee: John Dermody (Westmeath).

Cork GAA Health and Wellbeing Committee held its first conference in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Diarmuid Lester of the County Health & Wellbeing Committee, of UCC and Bishopstown, acted as Chairperson. 

The event was opened jointly by the Chairperson of Cork GAA Health&Wellbeing Committee Eoghan O’Connor and National Chairperson Janas Harrington (St.Finbarrs). 

Brid O’Dwyer Croke Park, Valerie Kirby Blarney Healthy Club, Claire Harrington St.Finbarrs Healthy Club, and Irene Murphy Bandon Healthy Club took part in a panel discussion. They shared inspiring stories of the activities of their club’s Healthy Club. Claire spoke as a founding club in 2013, Valerie on interaction with the local community and Irene outlined the Dermott Earley Leadership Programme. The discussion provided an opportunity for all present to learn about the activities of Healthy Clubs.

Professor Louise Crowley, UCC, and Bishopstown Healthy Club outlined the Bystander Intervention Programme. She explained the rationale behind the programme and how it empowers participants to better understand their role as pro-social bystanders. 

Our third presentation was on the topic  ‘GAA for All’. Diarmuid Lester hosted a discussion between Alan Craughwell of Mixed Ability Sports Ireland, Mairead Beausang of Midleton All Stars, Gerry McNamara Munster Wheelchair Hurling and Clonakilty’s Sinead Crowley on how to create a more inclusive and accessible environment sporting environment for people with additional needs as well as for mixed ability participants. 

Keith Ricken held an engaging one-on-one conversation with former Cork camogie player and professional soccer player Clare Shine. In the conversation, they discussed Clare’s career, from training/playing with fourteen different teams from Soccer to Camogie and Ladies Football. Clare outlined the challenges of having to choose between her sports and events from attending Irish soccer camp and getting permission to leave an international camp to play in an All-Ireland Senior Camogie final all in the same weekend.  She further outlined her journey into professional soccer, and the impact it had on her life. She told how alcohol and substance misuse affected her playing career and her personal life. In an insightful conversation, Clare shared how she successfully navigated difficult times and how she reached her own personal goals.

Cork Chairman Marc Sheehan brought the event to a close as he recognised the success of the event. He especially acknowledged the contributions of both Professor Louise Crowley and special guest Clare Shine.