All Ireland preview: Cork bid for 3 in a row glory
After the excitement of the last two weekends of county championships, one game dominates the weekend - it’s Cork v Galway in Croke Park in the All-Ireland Camogie Final on Sunday at the strange time of 5.15pm!
Also down for decision are the semi-finals of the divisional and colleges section of the Co-Op Super Stores County Premier Senior Hurling Championship.
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Final
Cork v Galway on Croke Park on Sunday at 5.15pm
It’s a third major final between these counties in the last 12 months, a repeat of the 2024 All-Ireland Final and this year’s D1 League final - both won by Cork.
The All-Ireland Final was a close affair, a 3 point win for Ger Manley’s side, while the league win in April was a bit more comprehensive.
That though is all in the past and the season will be shaped by the outcome of Sunday’s clash in which Cork are the favourites, but what does that really count for after the events of recent weeks in finals?
Cork are also going for 3 in a row, something they have not achieved since the ‘70s; in fact they did 4 in a row in that exciting run.
Several times in recent years, they have been denied the 3 in a row, and while I am sure it’s not been mentioned you feel it is something this group of players would like to achieve.
Laura Treacy says it’s not a factor however. “At the start of every year you go out to try and win the All-Ireland and that has been our aim all season; now it’s Galway on Sunday in what we know will be a very tough hour’s camogie, but we are looking forward to it.”
Ashling Thompson has similar views and the experienced midfielder is enthused by the depth in the squad. “Absolutely incredible really, we have had our share of injuries this year, but all it means is someone steps up and does what is required and that is the beauty of the current panel and we all feel privileged to be part of it.”
Sunday will be that bit extra special for Libby Coppinger having missed all of last season with an injury and watching on from the sideline was tough. “Especially in big games you were just itching to be out there, but that is sport and the players and management made me feel part of it, but yeah it was hard.”
A gradual return to play was aided by the medical experts: “They were careful about returning quickly and along the way there was the odd setback but I got there and can’t wait now for Sunday.”
Winning the league was also important. “It was, not sure if any of us on the team had a league medal so it was nice to get that one and like everything else when you play in a final you are determined to win it.”
Manager Ger Manley considers himself to be a privileged position with such a committed group of players. “I can’t speak highly enough of them; they’re incredible, they train hard, work away on their own, go to the gym and are very dedicated and that is reflected in their success.”
And it has been a very good year. “We have only lost one match all year, ironically to Galway in the league, but we were already in the final, so that shows how keen the girls are to win.”
Ger knows that Sunday will define their season. “Of course you know that at the start of the season, getting to the final was our objective at the start of the season and now we here we want to win it.”
The ease with which they went through the group was a slight concern ahead of the semi-final against Waterford but Ger was delighted how they dealt with it. “Thrilled actually, the first half showed we hadn’t played for a month and still only a point behind having played against the wind, but the second half was excellent.”
He knows though the final will be a real battle: “Ah look Galway are a very good team. I didn’t see the Tipp semi-final live, but looked at it and they were never in trouble, won comfortably and you know the hurt of last year will drive them on.”
“Galway have some quality players in Carrie Dolan and Niamh Mallon, just two I would mention and they like ourselves have been the dominant teams in recent years so we know full what to expect on Sunday, but our preparation has gone very well and we are really looking forward to the it.”
His own side are not lacking in motivation: “Not one bit - they just want to keep on winning and I know that they will match Galway in that area that is what they do.”
Ger referenced the depth in the squad that has brought them so much success in the last few years. “It’s brilliant really and our in house games are so competitive. We have had a few injuries all year but it has not affected us and that is down to the effort everyone is putting in.”
As for the elephant in the room, the 3 in a row is “not even been mentioned. The focus is on winning this final and everything else takes cares of itself.”
Galway were it not for the concession of a soft goal would have won their semi-final against Tipperary far more convincingly and there is a lot of pace and energy in the team, with improvement in every game. They will certainly be a different side to the one Cork easily defeated in the league final back in April.
Apart from the goal conceded, Sarah Healy is a solid custodian with Roisin Black, Emma Herbert and Annmarie Starr excellent defenders.
The midfield battle between Rachel Hannify and Carrie Dolan with Cork duo Hannah Looney and Ashling Thompson could shape the contest.
For long periods Looney and Thompson were quiet in the semi-final but when it mattered, they delivered and that is something they have been doing for some time now.
One area Cork will need to be conscious of is the free taking of Dolan, the Clarinbridge player rarely misses, discipline will be required.
Niamh Mallow, Ailish O’Reilly, Caoimhe Kelly and Aoife O’Donoghue are top class forwards that will need containing.
The Cork defence has been rock solid all year, no goal conceded in the league and very few in the championship, 2 I think.
Amy Lee is a top goalkeeper, with Meabh Cahalane, Laura Treacy, Aoife Healy and Libby Coppinger rarely make a mistake.
Pace is another key component this Cork team has all over the field, Laura Hayes, Saoirse McCarthy and Emma Murphy have ripped defence apart all season.
Add in Clodagh Finn, Katrina Mackey, Amy O’Connor and Orlaith Cahalane and the staring 15 is an indication of the options available to Ger and his management team.
It has the makings of a fascinating contest, both side have been down this road before, so know what’s required to win and now who will win.
I think Cork are better equipped; they are solid, cool and composed in defence and have greater firepower in attack, even in the semi-final when Amy O’Connor and Orlaith Cahalane had a rare day when they did score from play, others stepped up.
Katrina Mackey (0-4) Emma Murphy (0-2) and Orlaith Mullins (1-2) scored off the bench.
That could be crucial and while they are not saying it, the desire to become the 1st Cork team to win 3 in row, since the ‘70s and also since the game went to 15-a-side in 1999, gives them another incentive not that this team needs it.
Cork to win! Best of luck girls and as always full match commentary on C103.
Co-Op Super Stores Premier Senior Hurling Championship
These two games were originally scheduled for Páirc Uí Rinn but the pitch came in for severe criticism after last weekend’s games, and it was poor, so the decision to change them was the correct one. Let’s hope it’s much better for the vital hurling and football games in the coming weeks.
Imokilly v Avondhu on Saturday at Church Road at 7pm
It’s hard to see the champions lose this one, even if they are now without the Watergrasshill players and Seamus Harnedy did not line out with his club St Ita’s over the weekend.
They regularly play games on a Monday night and it would be a huge surprise that they would surrender their title in this their 1st championship outing of the year.
UCC v Muskerry on Sunday in Riverstown at 7pm
This one is bit harder to call as the composition of the UCC team might not be known until they gather in the dressing-room given that some of their players will be coming from other counties.
It is to their credit that they respect their involvement in the championship; even with all their difficulties, they still manage to fulfil their fixtures.
Muskerry were without the Ballincollig players for their last game and were they to be available they could win.
John Cleary
There’s a further two years for the Castlehaven man as he continues in the role he has now held since 2022, and his selection committee and backroom team will be confirmed at the September County Board meeting.
The decision of the Munster Council to seed Cork and Kerry for next year’s Munster Championship will also help as barring a complete shock, Cork should make the Munster Final and in the process guarantee participation in the Sam Maguire Cup.
This will take some of the pressure off in the league but I am sure a priority will be to gain promotion to Division 1, where the team needs to be if we are to be considered serious championship contenders.
The under 20 football management team will also be announced at the next board meeting.