RTÉ Sport Online Journalist
Kilkenny dethroned champions Galway to end a run of All-Ireland finals heartbreak, claiming victory on a scoreline of 1-14 to 1-11 at Croke Park.
In his maiden year as manager Brian Dowling led a team that had lost five of the previous six finals to ultimate glory after a superb second half performance.
Having trailed by two points at the break, Kilkenny outscored their opponents 1-08 to 0-06 in the second half for a fully deserved victory.
A Denise Gaule penalty with three minutes remaining when the sides were level proved to be the crucial score, but in truth, the black and amber has wasted other goal opportunities against a Galway generous that was more generous than we have previously seen.
Dowling: I am so proud of them
December 13, 2020
By Daragh Ó Conchúir at Croke Park
Beforehand, talk of the impact of three consecutive Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Final losses, the five reverses in seven seasons, and for many of the players, six in seven appearances on the biggest stage, was batted away.
The past had no impact on the present.
But now, with a 1-14 to 1-11 triumph over Galway, and a companion to the 2016 triumph at last, only Kilkenny’s second title since 1994, the truth could be acknowledged in the public domain.
It wasn’t the fear of being the first county to lose four deciders on the trot that drove them though. Just knowing the pain of each one and the damage it had done.
Kilkenny players celebrate following the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship final win over Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Galway hit Kilkenny with three first half goals in last year’s final and there was no comeback from it. This time they only conceded one, a well-worked first half finish involving the McGrath sisters from Sarsfields, Siobhan setting up Orlaith who went round Aoife Norris and finished to the net at the Hill 16 end.
The goal was a severe insult to Kilkenny’s defensive effort up to then. Aside from Phelan, Michelle Teehan had made a series of alert interventions, and Grace Walsh was often seen helping out and relieving pressure. They harried and hassled Galway and closed up the spaces around goal.