Kevin Corrigan, Kavanaugh brothers react to second straight Notre Dame lacrosse national title

Kevin Corrigan’s Notre Dame squad took down Maryland 15-5 in the NCAA finals to win a second straight lacrosse national title Monday afternoon.

After a weather delay pushed the game back over two hours, Corrigan finally got his old hat wet once again. The gatorade bath in 2024 was just as sweet as the Fighting Irish returned to the top of the college lacrosse world.

Corrigan was even asked how didn’t even know he was going to get gatorade and ice dumped on him during the final whistle.

“Haven’t done it often enough,” Corrigan said on ESPN postgame. “Twice in 36 years, you know it takes a little getting used to.”

Holding a perennial power like Maryland to five goals is not easy. But the Fighting Irish made it look so.

“We’ve got an experienced group there,” Corrigan said. “And we got (our defense back there erasing mistakes). Ryan Wellner has done a great job working with them. We’ve got the experienced guys, two fifth year seniors right in front of a fifth year senior goalie who I think is as good as I’ve seen in college lacrosse.”

The Kavanaugh brothers, Chris and Pat, were a big reason why Notre Dame was so good over the last two years. As a grad student, Pat is done at the college level but Chris is back at his attack position next year as a senior.

“You know, it’s a delight (coaching them) because they love it,” Corrigan said. “There’s such joy in what they do. What competitors, great kids, their guys love them as much as they love themselves. It’s awesome.”

It’s been quite the run for Corrigan and Notre Dame, considering the Fighting Irish never won a title until winning back to back.

Well obviously it’s our first two, you know, but I don’t know how you put something like this in perspective,” Corrigan said. “Other than I couldn’t be more proud of these guys, what they’ve done and what our senior leadership did to bring this team from this day last year to today is really something. All credit goes to them.”

It was at a certain point most realized Notre Dame was truly the best team all season long.

“We just have so much talent on our team,” Pat Kavanaugh said. “I think we had them with our depth … so we have so much talent all over the field … Everyone is so unselfish, incredible players. Everyone took a new step this year to a whole nother level. Guys just have more experience. We just played free. Our coaches put us in good spots. We had success all year.”

Chris Kavanaugh was asked why he bet on his brother Pat, despite the latter not being as highly touted of a recruit coming out of high school.

“He has all the tools,” Chris said. “He was a little kid. He was always going behind the back, around the world. So you got to use your size to your advantage. And when he was little he did that and then he finally hit a growth spurt and became one of the best players in the world. Just through hard work, dedication and perseverance. So I’m proud of him. My best friend for life and we did it.”

Chris Kavanaugh had five goals for Notre Dame and while Pat didn’t score, he had six assists monday. Notre Dame raced out to a 10-4 lead at halftime and never looked back en route to a title.