Cork City’s 31st All‑Ireland camogie title was celebrated by thousands on the Grand Parade, where captain Maeve Cahalane thanked supporters after a 2‑14 to 0‑19 win over Galway.
A City in Red and White
From around 5 pm the city centre filled with fans in red and white, the colour of the Cork team. The crowd gathered near the National Monument, ready for the team’s arrival. At 6:45 pm the team bus rolled into the parade, accompanied by Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best.” Captain Maeve Cahalane led the squad onto the stage, and the roar of the crowd confirmed the city’s pride.
Official Tributes
The event drew three high‑profile speakers. Taoiseach Michéal Martin opened with a speech in Irish before switching to English, praising the team’s determination and specifically lauding Cahalane’s leadership. Lord Mayor Damian Boylan highlighted the squad’s sacrifice and resilience, while County Mayor Bernard Moynihan reminded the crowd that “you can’t buy an All‑Ireland medal.”
Cahalane’s Thank‑You
Cahalane began by naming each of the 36 players, acknowledging the support that had carried them to victory. She recalled the narrow margin of the final – a one‑point win against Galway – and compared it to the loss the previous year, a single point in the opposite direction. “You travelled in your numbers to Croke Park and we could hear you get behind us yesterday when we needed it down the home straight – it made a difference,” she said, adding a heartfelt thank‑you to the supporters.
The celebration was a civic ceremony that felt like a second final, with the city’s residents spanning generations from children to pensioners. The scene was described by Cork 96FM’s GAA reporter Finbarr McCarthy as the biggest welcome he had seen for a camogie team, underscoring the significance of the 31st title for the county.
The Grand Parade, which ran from 5 pm to the final chorus, became a living tribute to the team’s achievement. The crowd’s enthusiasm, the official speeches, and Cahalane’s personal thanks all highlighted how the city and its people had been integral to Cork’s success.
