Things we Learned from the Hurling & Camogie Championships (4th & 5th July 2026)

See below another DSS Coaching piece by Brendan Delaney, focusing on lessons from the Hurling and Camogie Championships through the prism of coaching and performance.

This week in brief:

1. Limerick and Galway overcome semi-finals to meet in final

2. Kilkenny and Tipperary progress to camogie semi-finals

3. Shane O’Donnell will go down as an all-time great

Galway vs Limerick All-Ireland Final

It was fascinating to see just how well Galway implemented their system against Cork on Saturday last and how effective it was in creating scoring chances and limiting Cork’s dynamic attack. How will this fare against Limerick’s system? In one sense, it looks quite similar where both teams play a really fluid game of transitioning forwards and backwards as a unit with a strong, ball-winning focal point at full forward. Both teams look to crowd out the middle third to limit runners but from the evidence we have seen to date, Limerick’s physicality might shade it in this area. Galway will ask a number of questions of Limerick’s half back line as they play ‘positionless’ and pick up excellent pockets to hurt opponents. Cathal Mannion, Tom Monaghan, Darragh Neary, Gavin Lee and Tiernan Killeen can all score from distance and will need to be crowded out but we know Limerick’s half backs like to sit back and cover the space in front of the full forward line. Limerick will get to a flow stage at a stage where they will win several puckouts in a row and score point after point and Galway will need something to limit that purple patch. They will have the challenge of dealing with physical ball winners in the half forward, something that Cork didn’t have but Hegarty and Cathal O’Neill will win puckouts and drive straight at the defence. I think it will be a battle of half forwards and whoever out of Tom Monaghan and Gearoid Hegarty has a bigger impact will go a long way to deciding the outcome of the game. It is so hard to back against Limerick with often their best performances coming in the All-Ireland finals but I think Galway’s abandonment of pressure could stand to them and their young players have had the experience of playing in a nearly full Corke Park over the weekend. I expect Limerick to be better prepared than Cork and to shade it by less than 5 points, but I have been wrong before!

Cork vs Galway

Cork second half woes continue as Galway’s devastating third quarter put real light between the two teams. But for me, the turning point was on 30 minutes, scores 1-12 to 1-7. Galway hadn’t scored for 12 minutes, Cork’s backs were getting on top, and pockets of space were opening up for their forwards. A long ball went in, and Damien Cahalane fouled Jason Rabbitte, was cared and Niland slotted the free. After this, Galway pushed up more on and didn’t allow Cork to have comfortable ball. Between this moment and half time, Galway outscored Cork 0-5 to 0-1 and gave them rea momentum into the second half. What occurred in the second half was almost a repeat of the All-Ireland final last year and Munster final this year, where Cork failed to solve problems on the field presented to them, failed to win primary possession in the half forward line and failed to have someone to step up when was required. In these 3 second halves, they scored 0-5 (0-2F) against Galway; 1-6 (0-6F) against Limerick; and 0-2 against Tipperary. Very worrying. Galway on the other side, were full value for their victory and possibly should have won by more. Their energy and intensity were through the roof throughout but particularly in the second half. They crowded out the space for Cork’s forwards and on turnovers, they found the right pass on the sidelines to stretch the play. Their support and running off the shoulder should be shown to every young player of what to do in possession, every player had several options, and Jason Rabbitte was so effective as the target man as well. You could name every Galway player who had a massive impact on the game but for me Ronan Glennon, Tiernan Killeen, Tom Monaghan and Jason Rabbitte were immense. For Cork, it’s another fall at a significant hurdle, will we see a rip up of the script? Is it time to put the trust in the younger players, like Galway this year, Tipperary last year and Limerick previously in 2017/18. Or even more relevant, like Cork hurlers in 1999 when a group of young players, including current manager Ben O’Connor, won the All-Ireland. Plenty to ponder in a long winter ahead.

Kilkenny’s Momentum Keeps Rolling

The camogie stars of Kilkenny are flying the flag this year as they make it 6 wins from 6 in the Championship, overcoming Waterford in a titanic battle at HQ. Kilkenny stumbled at this stage last year but the Championship restructuring ensured they came into this game in great form and held on in a nervy finish. Katie Nolan was the hero who raised two green flags off the bench, but it was a really strong team performance throughout with excellent defending from Ava Brett, who restricted Beth Carton to only 1 point from play, while Laura Murphy, who recovered from an early injury scare, gave a display for the ages. She scored five points from play but the energy and control she provided around the middle gave Kilkenny a great platform for success. Waterford, again, stumble when it matters most. Having fallen short in the Munster final and the League final, they will be bitterly disappointed to not make the semi-finals, and as a result, will compete in Group 2 next year. Abby Flynn was excellent as a focal point and driving at the Kilkenny defence who held up well. They are a very well coached team, they move the ball really well through the lines and hit the full forward line with space but struggled to make it count with lacking scores as they certainly missed the impact of Niamh Rockett from the bench. It will be a long winter for Waterford while Kilkenny progress and now face Galway in the semi-finals.

Tipperary restart their Season

Tipperary failed to win a game in Group 1 this year but obviously took the learnings from every game as they beat Clare by 7 points in the quarter final. Tipperary were well in control of this and were 14 points clear on 59 minutes. Two late goals from Ellen Casey put some gloss on the scoreline. It was mentioned previously the monumental loss that Lorna McNamara was to the Clare group and it shone through again as they struggled to put up a significant scoreline to threaten Tipperary. On the other side, Tipperary’s forwards looked like they loved the wide-open spaces of Croke Park raking up a very impressive 3-20. With players no. 8-15 all contributing to the scoreboard as well as Niamh Treacy and Aoife Dwyer from the subs bench. 1-13 from the deadly inside forward line of Grace O’Brien, Eimear McGrath and Caoimhe Stakelum as they look to be regaining form at the right time. Caoimhe, who missed the first 2 games due to sitting her Leaving Cert is a player who has the potential to go right to the very top of the game, was excellent again and gives Tipperary a new star to take the scoring pressure off of Eimear McGrath. It will be a familiar old enemy in the semi-final when they face Cork while Clare are now out and will be back in Group 2 for next year. As I mentioned previously, it’s difficult to see how teams will consistently progress in this new system. Teams improve by playing several, tough games and at the moment this won’t happen as there seems to be 5 top teams. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming years.

Leadership Evident over the Weekend

When Caoimhe Maher of Tipperary left the field over the weekend the through injury, all the Tipperary backs came together to obviously discuss the plan as their centre back was off. Eimear McGrath continues her form after returning from the cruciate injury scoring 0-6. Laura Murphy comes back in heavily strapped to put in a player of the match display to steer Kilkenny to victory over Waterford and Katie Nolan leaves her ego at the door as she was the match winner with 2 goals. Clare started the game against Limerick with Tony Kelly in the full forward and he stood up, scoring 3 points from play in the opening 15 minutes. Peter Duggan was outstanding throughout with his ball winning ability and inspirational points. Gearoid Hegarty had an immense second half as he dragged his team with him over the line with driving runs, big hits and dominant on puckouts. Cian Lynch, who was held back due to an injury, came on late and won an excellent puckout in the melting pot that Aidan O’Connors goal came from. Galway’s Daithi Burke, who looked like playing on one leg, was struggling on Brian Hayes, early on but reset and was the rock at the back as his presence on the pitch is essential for his teammates. Young Jason Rabbitte made the ball stick up front and stood up when needed. Ronan Glennon was constantly driving on the crowd as they acted as a 16th man down the stretch. Bar Brian Hayes, Cork had no leaders on the pitch. No one to catch a puckout when needed, no one to recognise the Galway purple patch and reset the team. Leaders are essential at every level of the game and it was really evident who stood up when required, and who didn’t.

Limerick vs Clare

Gearoid Hegarty spoke about how it was an absolute battle and it looked every bit on Sunday afternoon in Croke Park. It was definitely closer than many people expected as Clare brought the game to Limerick from the start and Limerick seemed a bit stunned by some Clare’s positions. Tony Kelly inside, John Conlon to midfield and Conor Cleary picking up Gearoid Hegarty gave Clare a platform to put great pressure on Limerick and bring the game to their neighbours. Peter Duggan was excellent under puckouts and Diarmuid Ryan provided support for the full back line when out of possession. But as is Limerick’s style, they find a way and their second half performance wrestled the game back and the bounce from their bench saw them over the line. Their steely defence conceded 1-3 in the second half, 1 point from play and no score past the 56th minute Tony Kelly penalty. Phenomenal stuff. It surely would have been interesting if Nickie Quaid saw either red or black for his challenge on Peter Duggan for the penalty, which we will surely see a change in the rulebook around players in possession of the ball. I spoke after the league and said how I felt this was Clare’s last dance with a number of players in the twilight of their career. Shane O’Donnell has already announced his decision to retire and I’m sure a few more will in the coming weeks and months. They have given their supporters excellent days, particularly in 2013 and 2024 and will go down in history as some of the best ever. We will see a new look Clare team, but the players are there following successful Harty Cup and 20s winning teams in recent years. Limerick now march on to the final where they feel they belong and will be favourites against the Tribesmen.

Shane O’Donnell – An All Time Great

I was in Hill 16 in 2013 when an unknown, baby-faced hero stood up for Clare in the form of Shane O’Donnell. A small, nippy corner forward with an eye for goal caught Cork by surprise as a late inclusion, but no doubt Davy Fitz had him told all week he was starting. Since then, we have seen him mould into an all time great of the game leading the Clare forward line for many years. He has everything, strength, pace, power, hurling IQ and a hand and leap that is unmatched by players his same size. His dedication to transforming and evolving his game over the years is inspirational, but also the injuries he has overcome and managed, including the dreadful concussion. He put all this behind him as he deservedly won player of the year in 2024, leading Clare to another AllIreland win. I don’t think anyone can begrudge his decision to walk away and he leaves having left the Clare jersey in a better place. Words alone won’t acknowledge how great he has been for the game and Clare, but the highlight reels, stories and emotion will show a small glimpse as to how special he was in a glittering career.

See you next time!

Brendan

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