"The character of them girls, I'm so proud of them"
August 07, 2022
Kilkenny manager Brian Dowling with his kids. ©INPHO/Evan Treacy.
Killkenny manager Brian Dowling says his side's character shone through after holding off Cork to win a second All-Ireland camogie senior title in three years.
A Katrina Mackey point for Cork set up an exciting finish to today's final at Croke Park - leaving things level going into injury-time on 1-12 apiece - before Denise Gaule's free from 45 metres proved to be the match-winning score as the Cats stood firm to take home the O'Duffy Cup, and afterwards Dowling lauded his players.
"It was just unbelievable to win the match, it was nip and tuck," Dowling said when speaking to RTÉ Sport.
"I was sure it was heading for a replay there. We needed a goal, we were trying to claw Cork back. We'd a great start but Cork kept plugging away like the great team that they are.
"Look, we found a way. This year, we've been doing that. The character of them girls, I'm so proud of them. They're an unbelievable bunch of girls."
The sudden passing of young hurler Dillon Quirke from Tipperary after he collapsed while playing hurling puts sport into perspective for Dowling.
"We'd like to pay our respects to Dillon Quirke's family and friends. The news rocked the country on Friday night. We're absolutely devastated," he added.
"We're delighted to win today but that's only a game of hurling. There's a lot more that goes on off the pitch. And on behalf of myself and Kilkenny camogie, we'd just offer Dillon's family and his friends condolences at this difficult time."
