Ann Downey was both relieved and delighted after Kilkenny ended their All-Ireland senior camogie 'famine' with victory over Cork.

The camogie legend was the mastermind behind the Cats' 1-13 to 1-9 win, 22 years after captaining them to their last O'Duffy Cup.

"It was a monkey on my back alright, to be quite honest," she is quoted in the Irish Examiner.

"I had to keep reminding the girls at training that I was kind of sick of it. I'm just delighted that they've made their own history.

"Twenty-two years is a long time, considering that Kilkenny had won seven in-a-row [in the mid-eighties]. Who would have ever have said that we'd have had to wait 22 years for another All-Ireland after the '94 win? I just can't believe it.

"There are some great camogie players that have gone and haven't won All-Irelands. But as I said, this crowd of girls that we had today and the panel we had stuck with us, believed in us, and that's what it was about."

The Kilkenny manager revealed how her late father Shem - who won an All-Ireland hurling medal with the Noresiders in 1947 - was the first person to enter her thoughts after the final whistle.

"My first thought was about my father because the last time we were here, he was here with us. I know he was spurring us on today. He was such a camogie follower and loved the game. I know he'd be delighted for me," she added.

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