Laois’ Liadan C Fennell, Cork’s Lauren Homan, Galway’s Roisin Black, Cork’s Molly Lynch, Kilkenny’s Cria Langton, and Tipperary’s Sinead Meagher pictured ahead of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie finals.
Sunday August 11
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Final
Cork v Galway, Croke Park, 5.15pm, RTE 2
Cork ended an eight-game losing run going back four years by defeating Galway in last year’s semi-final and went on to win the All-Ireland. The Rebels have looked even better this year, with only Wexford getting to within a single-digit margin on their route to this year’s decider.
Galway were among those victims, losing by 12 points at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Cathal Murray’s crew were already qualified to the knockout stages and were without Aoife Donohue but it was pretty one-sided.
They have rebuilt well with battling performances in overcoming Waterford and Tipperary respectively to get to the final, showing all their experience and character by scoring the last three points to prevail over the Premiers to clear the penultimate hurdle.
Cork are without multiple All-Star full-back Libby Coppinger (hamstring) but Méabh Cahalane is available once more, while Pamela Mackey is likely to be called upon to shadow the competition’s leading scorer from play, Niamh Mallon.
It is Cork’s running power from deep that is causing consternation in opposition defences, opening gaps and creating opportunities for any number of forwards. So while the likes of Carrie Dolan is vital to Galway in terms of scoring, her work rate and that of the likes of Niamh Hanniffy will be crucial to neutralise the influence of Laura Hayes and Saoirse McCarthy, with Róisín Black and Dervla Higgins will need to be on their mettle with Amy O’Connor, Katrina Mackey and Orlaith Cahalane serious scoring threats.
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Final
Cork v Kilkenny, Croke Park, 3pm, RTE 2
These two teams both emerged as winners of their respective groups but had to escape massive examinations in their semi-finals.
Kilkenny needed a Danielle Morrissey equaliser from a free that she had won herself in injury time to bring their game to extra time, where they finally escaped Kerry’s shackles..
Cork, who already have the Very League Division 2B title in the locker this season, were flattered by a two-goal margin against Offaly, Clíona Dooley goaling in injury time.
Where Morrissey is the primary scoring threat for the Cats, it is Lauren Homan who the Leesiders rely upon primarily.
Cork are in pursuit of a fifth title and their first since 2018, while bidding to go one step better than in 2022, when they lost to Galway. Kilkenny have won the intermediate championship twice before, most recently in 2016. Their last appearance in the final was in 2021, when Antrim had the upper hand.
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Premier Junior Camogie Final
Laois v Tipperary, Croke Park, 1.05pm, RTE 2
Laois are Division 3A runners-up (they lost by a point to Armagh in the final having beaten the Orchard girls in the round-robin) and qualified for the All-Ireland semi-final as easy winners of their group. They overcame Cavan in the semi-final to seal a first appearance in an All-Ireland final since their 2015 success, their sole triumph at this grade after losing the decider in the previous two campaigns.
Tipperary, who are chasing a third title, having won most recently in 2001 but lost last year’s final, reached the Division 2B final. They only lost that by three points to intermediate finalists Cork and indeed, won the Munster intermediate crown subsequently.
Managed by former senior boss Bill Mullaney, they had to battle hard to overcome Armagh, who had just beaten Laois in their League final, so it looks like there won’t be much between them.