Murray: We want to win as much as we can while we can
Final performances in 2024 and '25 infused belief, says manager
By Oisín Noone
GALWAY’S belief that they belong on camogie’s biggest stage has been built through repeated exposure to the pressure of All-Ireland finals, according to three-time All-Ireland winning manager Cathal Murray.
As the Tribeswomen prepare for another meeting with roll of honour leaders Cork, the Sarsfields clubman says the confidence within his squad has grown from the experiences they have collected over recent seasons – from falling short in 2024 to lifting the O’Duffy Cup last year.
For Murray, the foundations of Galway’s current mindset have been laid by players who have experienced the highs and lows of championship camogie at the highest level.
“It’s certainly not about me and my tenure, it’s about the players,” said Murray.
“We’ve had a lot of players that are around since 2019 that played a big part in that and they’re still going really strong. I suppose it’s just getting to finals and getting that experience, you can’t beat it.”
Galway’s journey to becoming champions in 2025 was shaped by the disappointment of the previous year, when they pushed Cork all the way in the All-Ireland final but ultimately fell short.
However, Murray believes that performance, even in defeat, provided a significant turning point for the group.
“I think in the last two finals, the performances gave us a huge amount of motivation, but a huge amount of belief, trust in our ability, and confidence that we could do that on the biggest day of the year,” he said.
That belief has since been reinforced by Galway’s ability to deliver on major occasions. The Tribeswomen have backed up last year’s success with a fourth league title under his management, also securing another championship decider appearance.
Murray believes that consistency has helped create a team that trusts itself when the biggest moments arrive.
“The players have huge belief and the performances they give and the consistency they bring to us, I think that’s what gives them the belief and that’s what gives them the confidence.
“When you’re on the ball, you have to have the ability and you have to have belief and huge trust and confidence in what you can do.”
That confidence will be tested again against Cork, who have been the outstanding team in this year’s championship.
The Rebels defeated Galway convincingly in their opening group game, winning 0-18 to 1-8 in Kenny Park. It’s a result which highlighted the level that will be required of Murray’s charges, come Sunday.
“We got a huge eye-opener in the first group match here. Cork were way, way ahead of us. They definitely went to a different level and I think they’ve kept to that level.
“They’ve been incredible in the championship so far. They’re the only unbeaten team. I don’t have to talk them up because they’ve done that talking on the pitch themselves.”
Galway’s preparation for Sunday has been challenged by an unprecedented injury situation. Murray admitted the resultant disruption has created difficulties, particularly when preparing tactical work, but believes it is another challenge his squad must overcome.
“That’s the hard part for us and it’s unfortunately just the way it’s going to be,” he said.
“It’s not something that we’ve really dealt with before. We might have had one or two players that maybe were injured, but just the scale of it, it’s hard to pinpoint the reason for that.”
Murray was encouraged by his squad’s response to this adversity during their semi-final victory over Kilkenny, where Galway were forced to finish with 14 players and an injured Carrie Dolan stationed at full-forward.
“I suppose it also speaks to the resilience of the team finishing the game with 14 the last day,” Murray said.
“Carrie carried on and was inside full-forward and she was only on one leg as well.”
“The most pleasing thing for me is the amount of young players that stepped up.”
That ability to rely on emerging players has been a consistent theme within Galway’s success, with the county’s underage structures continuing to provide options for the senior panel.
Murray highlighted the contribution of the U-23 group, who train together with the senior squad.
“The U-23s performed really well over the last couple of years and it’s great to see,” he said.
He pointed to players including Katie Manning, Katie Anna Porter, Ally Hesnan, Niamh Niland and Shannon Corcoran as examples of the talent coming through, while also noting the development of players already involved at senior level.
“They have to develop very, very quickly and that’s very important as well. But they’ve done that and their biggest test is going to come at the weekend.”
The challenge of another All-Ireland final brings its own motivation, but Murray believes Galway’s mindset is different compared to previous years.
“It’s really easy to motivate yourself for a game when you’ve been meeting there before,” he said.
“That hunger drives you on all year and certainly us last year, I think that hunger really drove us on.
“It’s different at the weekend, definitely. But when you’re in an All-Ireland final you want to go and win it and you want to go up there and perform.
“We know we’re not going to have this team forever. We want to win as much as we can while we can and that’s the motivation.”
Galway arrive at Croke Park carrying more than the confidence of defending champions. They bring the reassurance that comes from repeatedly proving themselves on camogie’s biggest stage.
Now, Murray hopes that their experience can help the Tribeswomen deliver once again when the biggest day of the year arrives.
“We’re just talking about it all the time as a performance. Hopefully we get a performance. We’ll have a chance.”