As the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Championship reaches its climax on Sunday, excitement is building for what promises to be a thrilling day of action at Croke Park. Laois and Tipperary get the matches underway in the Premier Junior Final at 1:15 p.m., followed by Cork and Kilkenny in the Intermediate Final at 3:00 p.m. Finally, Galway take on Cork for the Senior title at 5:15 p.m., a replay of the 2021 showdown where the Tribeswomen got the better of the Leesiders by three points. However, Cork have gone on to contest each final since then, including winning the championship last year.
With the senior, intermediate, and junior titles all up for grabs, here are five key talking points to consider ahead of the big day.
Cork’s determination to defend their title
The senior Cork team are just as determined to go for their second All-Ireland title. With such depth to their panel, jerseys are fiercely competed for all the way to number 30. This sense of competition serves to better the team at each training, and it comes as no surprise that 11 players put their name on the scoreline in their semi-final. After placing third in the league, they appear to be peaking at the right time, with only Wexford getting to within a single-digit margin during the championship run. The Leesiders come into Sunday’s game with a 100% championship record.
Galway as underdogs
Despite both teams being rivals going back years, Galway have not contested an All-Ireland Final since 2021 and have had a somewhat inconsistent season so far. However, they have proved the naysayers wrong in arriving at tomorrow’s final after a brilliant semi-final win against Tipperary. Cathal Murray will expect each player to stand up as a leader on Sunday and bring that grit and determination that has got the Tribeswomen this far. With both the senior men’s and women’s football teams narrowly missing out on success recently, this camogie side will be eager to break Galway’s streak of near misses.
The tactical battle
Cork are dangerous right from their back line, where their runners frequently generate 2v1 or 3v2 situations, ensuring they always have a numerical advantage in attack. This tactical edge allows them to dominate in key moments and break through defences effectively. If Galway manage to shut down this threat where they can and force some turnovers, getting the ball to Niamh Mallon will be their next step. It is expected that Pamela Mackey will be taking on the challenge of keeping Mallon quiet, but it will take a lot to hush the competition’s lead scorer. Galway will be happy to take their frees where they can and allow vice-caption Carrie Dolan to add to her tally. Cork’s brilliant net minder Amy Lee will certainly be an intimating threat for the attacking Tribeswomen after her two brilliant saves against Dublin in the semi.
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Intermediate Final: Cork v Kilkenny
The intermediate final promises to be a gripping encounter between Cork and Kilkenny, two sides with rich histories and a fierce rivalry. Cork, seeking their fifth title and first since 2018, are led by captain Lauren Homan, who combines experience with a squad full of emerging talent. On the other side, Kilkenny, driven by their dramatic extra-time win over Kerry, aim to capture their third championship, with Danielle Morrissey leading the charge. With both teams hungry for victory and past encounters adding spice to the clash, this final is set to be a great battle for the Jack McGrath Cup.
Premier Junior Final: Laois v Tipperary
Laois, Division 3A runners-up, are making their first All-Ireland final appearance since their 2015 victory. After overcoming Cavan in the semi-final, they are eager to claim their second title at this grade. Tipperary are chasing their third title, having won their last one in 2001. Despite losing last year’s final, they’ve had a strong season so far, reaching the Division 2B final where they only fell short by three points to intermediate finalists Cork. Gaining confidence as they go, the Premiers went on to win the Munster intermediate title and edged past Armagh in the recent semi-final. Both sides will be eager to get their hands on long-awaited silverware and bring their respective sides to glory.
