Galway the best team in the land after fronting up in terrific decider

Inside Track with John McIntyre
THE best All-Ireland camogie final in years at Croke Park on Sunday saw Galway shed their reputation as something of a flaky team when the pressure came on. They never blinked in an absorbing battle for supremacy and are worthy new champions.
In the process, the Tribeswomen also improved slightly the county’s terrible record in All-Ireland finals, having only won two of their previous 17 championship deciders stretching back to 1932. We daren’t have mentioned that terrible statistic in the build up to Sunday’s showdown, but it’s doubtful if it would have fazed Galway in any event.
This was a team with a different and more positive mentality. It didn’t matter to them that they were the 7/4 outsiders against Kilkenny. After all, they had taken out title holders Cork in a high-wire semi-final and if Galway hadn’t buckled in that challenging environment, why would they do so against a Kilkenny outfit which also had their own All-Ireland final demons?
Sarah Dervan and company would have gained huge belief and confidence from coming out on top after going toe to toe with Cork. It showed on Sunday. The old frailties were gone; replaced by a new sense of self-assurance. They carried the day by six points and were in no way flattered by the margin.
Under the progressive management of Cathal Murray and a committed backroom staff of Orla Kilkenny, Conor Dolan, John Connor and Robbie Lane, together with the associated medical and logistics support, Galway were women on a mission in 2019. Having already overcome the Cats in the league final, they were not intimidated by what lay ahead of them at GAA headquarters.
Camogie deservedly got a bad rap after the previous two All-Ireland finals which allowed for minimal physical contact. With players countrywide demanding scope for matches to be less rigorously officiated, the sport has enjoyed a renaissance this summer which has led to a sharp increase in affection from the terraces.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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