De La Salle are Waterford senior camogie champions for the third time after defeating old rivals Gailltír 3-9 to 0-13 in a thrilling county final at the SETU Arena.
It was the fifth consecutive year the sides met in the decider, and this time De La Salle made sure there would be no repeat of last year’s heartbreak.
Goals from Abby Flynn and Maggie Gostl gave them a 2-4 to 0-7 half-time lead. Gailltír fought back to within two points in the closing stages, but a 59th-minute strike from Gostl sealed a famous victory for the Gracedieu club.
Seventeen-year-old defender Shayla Condon delivered a superb display, keeping a tight grip on Gailltír’s Molly Comerford and earning the Player of the Match award for her efforts.
For selector John Mullane, the win ranks as the sweetest of De La Salle’s three titles in four years.“We felt we left it behind us last year,” he said. “This one means a lot. The girls were determined not to let that happen again.”
Mullane praised the influence of manager Mark Douglas and the dedication of the squad.
“Mark deserves huge credit. We’ve a great management team and a great bunch of girls — a serious bunch,” he said. “And when you’ve got a player like Beth Carton out there, you’ve always got a chance.”
It was also a weekend to remember for Keeley Corbett Barry, who added a senior camogie medal to the ladies’ football title she won with Comeragh Rangers just a week earlier — becoming the first player to achieve that double since the Portlaw footballers and camogie players of the 1970s.
Mullane also paid tribute to opponents Gailltír, with whom De La Salle have shared one of the great rivalries in modern Waterford camogie.
“Any time we play Gailltír, we know we’ll have to dig deep,” Mullane said. “They’re a fantastic team, and we got the rub of the green today. But Maggie Gostl’s goals were pure class.”
Now a familiar presence on the sideline, Mullane says his involvement in camogie has been one of the most rewarding experiences of his sporting life. He spoke warmly about the dedication within the women’s game, noting that their commitment and preparation “would put some men’s teams to shame.”
For John Mullane – widely regarded as one of hurling’s all-time great forwards, Saturday’s win was more than just another county title — it was proof of what makes camogie so special. Getting involved, he reflected, has been one of the best things he’s ever done.
