Galway will face a different challenge when they meet Cork in Sunday’s All-Ireland camogie final, according to former Dublin player Aisling Maher.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Inside Sport, Maher said Galway’s position has changed significantly since last year, when they entered the final as outsiders against a Cork side seeking a third consecutive championship.
Galway produced a powerful performance in last year’s decider, taking control from the opening stages and eventually defeating Cork. The victory ended Cork’s bid for three titles in a row and gave Galway another All-Ireland crown.
However, Galway have never successfully defended an All-Ireland title. Their previous five championships were won in separate years, meaning Sunday’s final presents a new challenge for Cathal Murray’s team.
Maher believes the shift in expectations could affect how Galway approach the game.
“It’s a completely different dynamic for Galway going into this weekend versus last year,” she said.
According to Maher, Murray was able to use Cork’s status as favourites to motivate his players last year. Galway arrived without the same level of expectation and responded with an aggressive start that unsettled their opponents.
“They came in from under the radar and they just blew Cork out of the water between their intensity and the hardness of their hits,” Maher said.
Galway set the pace from the beginning and established themselves as the stronger side during the early stages of the contest.
This time, Cork enter the final without the same burden of expectation. The Rebels are the most successful county in the history of camogie, with 30 All-Ireland titles, the latest coming in 2024.
Maher believes Cork could now benefit from being regarded as the underdogs, while Galway must handle the pressure that comes with being defending champions.
“I do think Cork have the luxury this year, which they’ve probably never had before, of almost coming in as underdogs into this game,” she said.
The prospect of a first-ever back-to-back All-Ireland title for Galway adds another layer to the occasion. Maher said senior members of the Galway squad will be aware of the opportunity to create further history before the end of their careers.
She also praised Murray for how he has handled expectations surrounding the team. The Galway manager successfully used Cork’s favourites tag to motivate his players last year and may need a similar approach this weekend.
Maher said the manager appears to be managing the situation well publicly and suggested that his ability to ensure the players fully believe in the message could be decisive.
With Galway seeking to retain their crown and Cork attempting to reclaim the title, Sunday’s final will test whether the defending champions can cope with the pressure of expectation.
