Boosted by the presence of the talented Josie Ruane from Keelogues at full-back and later at centre-back, and by the interest of PJ Hennelly, who later became general manager of the Connaught Telegraph, and Gerry Bracken of Newport, editor of The Mayo News, Mayo surprised Galway in Mulranny on May 31 in the Connacht semi-final and defeated Sligo 7–2 to 0–3 in the most unusual Connacht final in camogie history at Manulla on 5 July, with three goals from Peggy Coughter, two from Eileen Clarke and one each from Josie Ruane and Bridie Kilroy.
Waterford won the Munster championship for the first time with an outstanding full back Josie McNamara, who refereed the All Ireland semi-final between Dublin and Antrim, and was also a noted badminton player.
With outstanding performances from Geraldine Power, Lilian Howlett and Pat Doyle, Waterford defeated Clare by 19 points in the first round of the Munster championship, then Limerick, Cork and London in the All Ireland quarter-final.
Waterford led 1–5 to 1–1 at half-time in the replay before a great fight-back and a last minute victory for Mayo, who had 2-2 from Eileen Clarke a goal from Peggy Coughter and a point from Josie Ruane.
Agnes Hourigan wrote in the Irish Press: Dublin’s superiority stemmed from midfield where the hard-working Annette Corrigan, Kay Mills and captain Brid Reid, who had flown back from her honeymoon to play, were always in complete control.