Cork hold firm to retain All-Ireland title against Galway

A thrilling third quarter performance was significant but ultimately it was the impact of Cork's bench in the closing minutes that secured back-to-back All-Ireland senior camogie titles for them.

Level with six minutes to go - having winced as an earlier six-point advantage was wiped out by a resurgent Galway - the holders finished superbly with three points in a row to ensure the O'Duffy Cup remains on Leeside.

Substitutes accounted for all three of those scores with former Down star Sorcha McCartan, daughter of 1994 All-Ireland winning Down footballer Greg McCartan, nailing two of them and Clodagh Finn striking the other.

It was also Finn that helped create McCartan's second score in the 65th minute, leaving three between the teams and allowing Cork supporters to finally breathe out.

A crowd of 27,811 turned out, just shy of last year's record attendance, and they can't complain of being short changed in a blood and thunder epic that was level on nine occasions.

"Tears of joy for Cork... heartbreak for Galway"

Cork have retained the All-Ireland senior camogie championship, with Katrina Mackey's goal making the difference