Cork captain Rena Buckley with her team-mates raises the Brendan Martin Cup.
Picture: David Keane.

Cork’s ladies footballers were today relaxing after a triumphant homecoming with their seventh All Ireland in eight years.

The team were given a rousing welcome when their bus arrived outside the Imperial Hotel on South Mall last night.
Lord Mayor Cllr John Buttimer said it is every Lord Mayor’s wish to welcome home an All
Ireland-winning team to Cork.
And he said what better team than the current Cork ladies footballers, who have won seven out of the last eight All Irelands.
He added: “Meatloaf used to sing that two out of three ain’t bad, but seven out of eight is phenomenal, in any code.”
Captain Rena Buckley paid tribute to her team colleagues and said: “It’s the whole group effort. There’s a great bond among us.”

This was echoed this morning by proud coach, Eamon Ryan. He said: “They are a very loyal and dedicated group of girls.”
Before leaving Dublin, the team took the Brendan Martin Cup to Temple Street Children’s Hospital, where Cork staff Kay O’Brien, Norma O’Keeffe and Frances O’Donovan gave them a proud welcome.

The Brendan Martin Cup arrives back in Cork carried by team Captain Rena Buckley, followed by team manager Eamonn Ryan.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Cork’s Bríd Stack signing autographs on the South Mall.
Picture: David Keane.

Garda Marie O’Neill, Community Policing Blackrock with Moira, Michael, Bridgin, Aogh and James Twomey from Aghinagh, on the South Mall, Cork.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

The O’Sullivan sisters Doireann, Ciara and Róisín on the South Mall.
Picture: David Keane.

Connie O’Donoghue, Bantry, with Rachel, Laura, Francis and Norma Murtagh from Inniscarra and Martina O’Donoghue, Bantry.
Picture: David Keane.