Hannah Looney hails Cork mentality to win All-Ireland but addresses concerns for dual-players

Awards season is underway in the GAA season, with All-Ireland Camogie champions Cork receiving eight all-stars in last weekend's awards.

Among them to receive an all-star was forward Hannah Looney, who was crucial for the rebels' first All-Ireland title in five years.

While it is special for a player's performances to be recognised through awards, Hannah told BreakingNews.ie winning the O'Duffy Cup was the priority.

"It was great, it has been a couple of years since we have been at an all-star event as All-Ireland champions, so it felt extra special. It is really special to get recognised on a personal level, but what defines your season is ultimately on August 6th, and it was great to share the stage with the Cork Camogie girls.

"It had been five years since we won. When I first joined that Cork team I was pretty young, a bit naive, and got used to winning and got used to the leaders digging us out and winning All-Ireland's when there was no right to be won.

"Then all of a sudden, you are in their shoes. You are the one meant to be doing that, when things get hard you are the one meant to be doing turning the game for Cork."

Despite having such a talented side, Cork experienced a five-year gap in camogie for an All-Ireland title. In that time, there was final defeats to Galway and Killkenny along the way, which Looney admits brought pressure into this season.

For Looney, the heartbreak of defeat, and integrating the next generation of leaders was key to the journey that made Cork champions.

"It probably just took us that bit of time to adopt to new leaders on the team, between Laura Tracey and Maeve Callaghan, the likes of them and to get the young ones motoring along with us.

"There was two hard defeats at Croke Park.